Amy L Hartman, PhD

Dr. Hartman received her bachelor's degree in Biology from Washington and Jefferson College in 1998. She received her Ph.D. in Molecular Virology from the Department of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in 2003. Her graduate thesis was done in the laboratory of Mickey Murphey-Corb, Ph.D. and focused on host factors controlling Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) infection in rhesus macaques.

Dr. Hartman then did a post-doctoral fellowship in the Special Pathogens Branch at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA under Stuart Nichol, Ph.D. Her work focused on viral virulence factors contributing to severe disease induced by infection with Ebola Zaire virus. During her time at CDC, Dr. Hartman was a member of the outbreak response team sent to Angola in 2005 during the largest recorded outbreak of Marburg Hemorrhagic Fever.  Dr. Hartman assisted with setup and operation of the molecular diagnostic laboratory, which used Taqman PCR to diagnose patient clinical samples.  

Dr. Hartman returned to the University of Pittsburgh in 2007 as the Research Manager of the Regional Biocontainment Laboratory with a primary faculty appointment in the Department of Infectious Disease and Microbiology (IDM) in the Graduate School of Public Health (GSPH).

1998 | Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, PA | BA
2003 | University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA | PhD 

Course Director:  

IDM2004 - Viral Pathogenesis (fall term)

HartmanLab

Negative Strand Virus Conference (NSV2018) - June 2018 Verona, Italy

ASV 2018 - July 2018, University of Maryland

Dr. Hartman's broad research interests center on understanding the pathogenic mechanisms of RNA viruses, particularly arboviruses (viruses transmitted by insect vectors).  The focus of her research is on arboviruses that have the potential to spread to new locations (emerging viruses), as well as those that have the potential for misuse through bioterrorism.  In addition to understanding the disease-causing mechanisms of these viruses, Dr. Hartman works closely with the Department of Defense to assist in the testing of new treatments and vaccines to protect U.S. military personnel from exposure to virulent viruses.  Current research projects in Dr. Hartman's lab focus on aerosol infection models of Rift Valley Fever virus and the alphaviruses (Eastern, Western, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses).

Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV) is a mosquito-borne virus that causes severe disease in livestock and humans in Africa and the Arabian peninsula. Rift Valley Fever is found endemically in these regions, and rainfall alterations can lead to epizootics in livestock and epidemics in humans. RVFV is easily transmitted when humans handle infected animal carcasses, and this transmission is thought to be by mucosal exposure or direct inhalation of virus particles. Due to its ability to infect by the aerosol route, RVFV is also considered a potential bioterror threat. For these reasons, better vaccines and therapeutics for this globally-important emerging infectious disease are needed. 

Rift Valley Fever is included on the World Health Organization's list of prioritized diseases likely to cause major epidemics in the near future, including Rift Valley Fever.  In January of 2016, Science magazine named Rift Valley Fever as one of the top 10 diseases for which a vaccine is urgently needed.

Current research projects in Dr. Hartman's lab focus on the neuropathogenesis of RVFV. Dr. Hartman has established the first well-characterized models of the neurological disease that is seen in some RVFV-infected people. These models are currently being used to understand how the virus causes lethal encephalitis. Dr. Hartman's models have also been used to test novel antiviral drugs, such as Favipiravir (T-705), to determine its broad-spectrum applicability to treat emerging diseases. 

Dr. Hartman's lab at the University of Pittsburgh Regional Biocontainment Laboratory has the necessary federal approvals to work at BSL-3, advanced equipment, and trained staff to successfully implement large research grants and contracts aimed at understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases.

New Review article available online 5/31/18: Read about the history of Rift Valley Fever

McMillen & Hartman: Antiviral Research

Peripheral Blood Biomarkers of Disease Outcome in a Monkey Model of Rift Valley Fever Encephalitis. Wonderlich ER, Caroline AL, McMillen CM, Walters AW, Reed DS, Barratt-Boyes SM, Hartman AL.J Virol. 2018 Jan 17;92(3). pii: e01662-17. doi: 10.1128/JVI.01662-17. Print 2018 Feb 1.PMID: 29118127

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29118127

IMPORTANCE Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is an important emerging viral disease for which we lack both an effective human vaccine and treatment. Encephalitis and neurological disease resulting from RVF lead to death or significant long-term disability for infected people. African green monkeys (AGM) develop lethal neurological disease when infected with RVF virus by inhalation. Here we report the similarities in disease course between infected AGM and humans. For the first time, we examine the peripheral immune response during the course of infection in AGM and show that there are very early differences in the immune response between animals that survive infection and those that succumb. We conclude that AGM are a novel and suitable monkey model for studying the neuropathogenesis of RVF and for testing vaccines and therapeutics against this emerging viral pathogen.

Current:

The Hartman lab is seeking motivated post-doctoral scholars with an interest in the neuropathogenesis of arboviruses. Candidates will need to pass Department of Justice clearance and the University of Pittsburgh’s Tier 1 Select Agent Suitability Assessment.  Successful applicant must be willing to work in BSL-3/ABSL-3 and undergo a rigorous safety training program. Entry-level or experienced post-docs are encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should email a CV and cover letter.