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Amy L. Hartman, PhD



Dr. Amy Hartman

Contact

412-648-8765
Fax: 412-648-8917
8038 Biomedical Science Tower 3
3501 Fifth Avenue

Education

PhD, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

BA, Washington and Jefferson College


Academic Affiliation(s)

Assistant Professor, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Graduate School of Public Health

Center for Vaccine Research

Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine

Member, Infecious Diseases and Microbiology Graduate Program

Member, Molecular Virology & Microbiology Graduate Program

Research

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).

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. 

Lab Personnel

Cynthia McMillen, PhD (Post-Doc)

Aaron Walters, MS (Research Technician)

Michael Kujawa, MS (PhD student)

Noah Salama (MS student)

Joseph Albe (MPH-PEL student)

Tiffany Thompson (MPH-PEL student)

Stacey Barrick (Project Coordinator)

Jeneveve Lundy (Veterinary Technician)

Areas of Interest

emerging viruses, RNA virus pathogenesis, neurotropic viruses

Publications

Wonderlich E.R, Swan Z.D, Bissel S.J, Hartman A.L, Carney J.P, O'Malley K.J, Obadan A.O, Santos J, Walker R, Sturgeon T.J, Frye L.J, Jr., Maiello P, Scanga C.A, Bowling J.D, Bouwer A.L, Duangkhae P.A, Wiley C.A, Flynn J.L, Wang J, Cole K.S, Perez D.R, Reed D.S. and Barratt-Boyes S.M. (2017) Widespread Virus Replication in Alveoli Drives Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Aerosolized H5N1 Influenza Infection of Macaques. J Immunol. 198: 1616-1626. |  View Abstract

Caroline A.L, Kujawa M.R, Oury T.D, Reed D.S, and Hartman A.L. (2015) Inflammatory Biomarkers Associated with Lethal Rift Valley Fever Encephalitis in the Lewis Rat Model. Front Microbiol. 6: 1509. |  View Abstract

Caroline A.L, Powell D.S, Bethel L.M, Oury T.D, Reed D.S. and Hartman A.L. (2014) Broad spectrum antiviral activity of favipiravir (T-705): protection from highly lethal inhalational Rift Valley Fever. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 8: e2790. |  View Abstract

Reed D.S, Bethel L.M, Powell D.S, Caroline A.L. and Hartman A.L. (2014) Differences in aerosolization of Rift Valley fever virus resulting from choice of inhalation exposure chamber: implications for animal challenge studies. Pathog Dis. 71: 227-233. |  View Abstract

Powell D.S, Walker R.C, Heflin D.T, Fisher D, Kosky J.B, Homer L.C, Reed D.S, Stefano-Cole K, Trichel A.M. and Hartman A.L. (2014) Development of novel mechanisms for housing, handling, and remote monitoring of common marmosets at animal biosafety level 3. Pathog Dis. 71: 219-226. |  View Abstract

Hartman A.L, Powell D.S, Bethel L.M, Caroline A.L, Schmid R.J, Oury T. and Reed D.S. (2014) Aerosolized rift valley fever virus causes fatal encephalitis in african green monkeys and common marmosets. J Virol. 88: 2235-2245. |  View Abstract

Bales J.M, Powell D.S, Bethel L.M, Reed D.S. and Hartman A.L. (2012) Choice of inbred rat strain impacts lethality and disease course after respiratory infection with Rift Valley Fever Virus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2: 105. |  View Abstract