Catherine L. Carlson Haggerty, PhD, MPH

I am a reproductive, perinatal and pediatric epidemiologist with cross-cutting expertise in infectious disease epidemiology and global health.  I have been actively involved in multi-disciplinary research for nearly two decades, leading numerous NIH and CDC funded studies that combine reproductive, infectious disease and molecular epidemiology.  Several of my ongoing projects are focused on the role of the vaginal microbiome in pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes.

I am a Co-lead of the Healthy Environments and Strong Bodies working group of The Pittsburgh Study (TPS), a community-partnered study designed to understand and promote child and adolescent health and thriving among school-aged children and adolescents from six cohorts spanning from pregnancy through adolescence in Allegheny County.  Our working group aims to develop, test and implement interventions that can improve family and child environment and health, address environmental and health inequities and support thriving of all children and youth in our communities.  I am committed to examining disparities in pregnancy and child outcomes globally, and I also co-lead the Longitudinal Indian Family hEalth (LIFE) Study, conducted in collaboration between the University of Pittsburgh, the MediCiti Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS) and Science Health Allied Research & Education (SHARE) INDIA.  We are examining the environmental, infectious, lifestyle, metabolic and genetic factors that impact birth outcomes and early childhood health and development among a large cohort of Indian participants that were recruited preconception and followed through conception, pregnancy and delivery.

2001 - 2004 | NRSA Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (NICHD), University of Pittsburgh

2002 | Community Health Summer Internship, University of Pittsburgh

2001 | University of Pittsburgh, Ph.D. Epidemiology

1999 | University of Pittsburgh, M.P.H. Epidemiology

1994 | University of Pittsburgh, B.S. Mathematics

EPIDEM 2160:  Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases

EPIDEM 2720:  Reproductive Epidemiology

• 2022-present | Professor with Tenure, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health
• 2011-present | Associate Professor with Tenure, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health
• 2008-present | Director, Reproductive, Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Area of Emphasis, University of Pittsburgh, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health
• 2017-present | Affiliate Faculty, Center for Microbiome & Medicine, University of Pittsburgh
• 2016-present | Faculty, Center for Women's Health Research and Innovation, University of Pittsburgh
• 2003-present | Member, Magee-Womens Research Institute 

0000-0002-9849-7865

• Reproductive, perinatal and pediatric epidemiology
• Women's health
• Infectious disease epidemiology
• Sexually transmitted infections
• COVID-19
• Preconception biomarkers of adverse pregnancy outcomes
• The role of infection and inflammation in infertility, chronic pelvic pain and adverse pregnancy outcomes
• Vaginal microbiome
• Global health 

Prospective epidemiologic study of novel etiologic agents of pelvic inflammatory disease (2020 - 2024), NIH/NIAID

Immune activating syncytiotrophoblast microvesicles and danger associated molecular patterns in preeclampsia risk (2019 - 2024), NIH/NICHD

Evaluating the intersection between sexually transmitted infections, inflammation and reproductive success (2020 - 2025), NIH/NIAID

Member, International Society for Sexually Transmitted Disease Research

Member, International Union against Sexually Transmitted Infections

Member, American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association

Member, Society for Pediatric and Perinatal Epidemiologic Research

Member, The Society of Epidemiologic Research

• 2014 | University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association (UPPDA) Alumni Award, University of Pittsburgh.  In recognition for dedication to the UPPDA as a founding member of the UPPDA, an UPPDA Executive Board member and for continued support as a faculty member participating in workshops for the postdoc community.
• 2009 | Nominee, Craig Award in Teaching, University of Pittsburgh
• 2006 | Faculty Honoree, University of Pittsburgh Honors Convocation
• 2005 | "40 Under 40" Honoree, awarded by Pittsburgh Magazine and the Pittsburgh Urban Magnet Project (PUMP) to "talented individuals under the age of 40 who are making a positive impact on the region's development."
• 2003 | National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Loan Repayment Program Recipient
• 2003 | Women's Health Scholar Award, University of Pittsburgh
• 2002 | Student Honoree, University of Pittsburgh Honors Convocation
• 2001 | Individual Postdoctoral National Research Service Award, NIH
• 2001 | Delta Omega Society Omicron Chapter, University of Pittsburgh, Graduate School of Public Health 

Complete List of Published Work in My Bibliography: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/myncbi/catherine.haggerty.1/bibliography/41139192/public/?sort=date&direction=ascending

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

1. Ettinger AK, Landsittel D, Abebe KZ, Bey J, Charvis V, Navratil J, Friedman FS, Miller E, and the Pittsburgh Study Committee Co-leads. Pittsburgh Study Committee Co-leads (alphabetical): Abernathy P, Bogen D, Catov J, Delestienne E, Dubowitz T, Fuhrman B, Garland R, Gradeck R, Haggerty CL, Huguley J, Krishnamurti T, Malen A, Mayers-Snyder V, Moye S, Naccarti-Chapkis M, Ohmer M, Pierson-Brown T, Ray K, Shaw D, Shirriel J, Wanless S, Wilson D, Wolynn T. THRIVE Conceptual Framework and Study Protocol: A Community-Partnered Longitudinal Multi-Cohort Study to Promote Child and Youth Thriving, Health Equity, and Community Strength. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2022 Feb 4; https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.797526.

2. Hill AV, Mendez DM, Haggerty CL, Miller E, De Genna NM. Syndemics of Sexually Transmitted Infections in a Sample of Racially Diverse Pregnant Young Women. Maternal and Child Health Journal, Special Issue: Black Maternal Health Experience in America. 2022 Feb; 26(2):299-308. PMID: 34993752.

3. Anyalechi GE, Wiesenfeld HC, Kirkcaldy RD, Kissin DM, Haggerty CL, Hammond KR, Hook EW 3rd, Bernstein KT, Steinkampf MP, Geisler WM. Tubal factor infertility, in vitro fertilization, and racial disparities: a retrospective cohort in two US clinics. Sexually Transmitted Diseases. 2021 Oct 1; 48(10):748-753. PMID: 33833148.

4. Corey SL, Haggerty CL, Soliman AS, Coulter RWS. Evaluating Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Differences in Human Papillomavirus and Related Cancer Preventive Interventions. Annals of LGBTQ Public and Population Health. 2021 Sep 24; 2(3):185-202.

5. Mitchell CM, Anyalechi GE, Cohen CR, Haggerty CL, Manhart LE, Hillier SL. Etiology and diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease: looking beyond gonorrhea and chlamydia. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2021 Aug 16; 224(12 Suppl 2):S29-S35. PMID: 34396407.

6. Zheng X, Zhong W, O'Connell CM, Liu Y, Haggerty CL, Geisler WM, Anyalechi G, Kirkcaldy RD, Wiesenfeld HC, Hillier SL, Fine J, Li Y, Darville T. Host genetic risk factors for Chlamydia trachomatis related infertility in women. The Journal of Infectious Diseases. 2021 Aug 16; 224(12 Suppl 2):S64-S71. PMID: 34396400.

7. Birru RL, Liang H, Farooq F, Bedi M, Feghali M, Ng CA, Haggerty CL, Mendez DM, Catov JM, Adibi JJ. A pathway level analysis of PFAS exposure and risk of gestational diabetes mellitus. Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source. 2021 May 22; 20(1):63. PMID: 34022907.

8. Gondwe T, Ness R, Totten PA, Astete S, Tang G, Gold MA, Martin D, Haggerty CL. Novel bacterial vaginosis-associated organisms mediate the relationship between vaginal douching and pelvic inflammatory disease. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2020 Sep; 96(6):439-444. PMID: 31810995.

9. Gondwe T, Betha K, Kusneniwar GN, Bunker CH, Tang G, Simhan H, Haggerty CL. Adverse infant outcomes associated with cesarean section delivery in India. International Health. 2020 Sep 1; 12(5):411-416. PMID: 31819983.  

10. Wiringa AE, Ness RB, Darville T, Beigi RH, Haggerty CL. Trichomonas vaginalis, endometritis and sequelae among women with clinically suspected pelvic inflammatory disease. Sexually Transmitted Infections. 2020 Sep; 96(6):436-438. PMID: 31719170.