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Natasha Hanners, M.D.

Natasha Hanners, M.D.

Assistant Professor

School
Medical School
Department
Pediatrics
  • Biography

    Dr. Hanners is an early career physician-scientist. As a pediatric resident, chief resident, pediatric infectious disease fellow, and now as a faculty member, Dr. Hanners developed and pursued her interest in encephalitis. She is interested in the pathophysiology and immune response to viral central nervous system (CNS) infections. Dr. Hanners’ research involves the investigation of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) for antiviral effects on neurotropic viruses including Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEEV), yellow fever (YFV), West Nile (WNV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses. She has also pursued her interest in CNS infections by investigating the effects of Zika virus infection on neural progenitor cells.

    Dr. Hanners has focused her research career on elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of Flavivirus CNS infections, as well as the innate immune response to such infections. She will also continue her clinical work in Pediatric Infectious Diseases, and have a particular interest in patients with CNS infections.

  • Education
    Medical School
    UT Southwestern Medical School (2009)
    Residency
    UT Southwestern/Children's Medical Center (2012), Pediatrics
    Chief Resident
    UT Southwestern/Children's Medical Center (2013), Pediatrics
    Fellowship
    UT Southwestern/Children's Medical Center (2016), Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Research Interest
    • Flavivirus infections, including Zika virus neurotropism
    • Neurovirology
    • Type I Interferon responses
    • Virus-host interactions
  • Publications

    Star Featured Publications

    Western Zika Virus in Human Fetal Neural Progenitors Persists Long Term with Partial Cytopathic and Limited Immunogenic Effects.
    Hanners NW, Eitson JL, Usui N, Richardson RB, Wexler EM, Konopka G, Schoggins JW Cell Rep 2016 Jun 15 11 2315-22
    A Persistently Fussy, Febrile Infant.
    Cantey JB, Hanners N, Mittal V Clinical pediatrics 2011 Feb
  • Honors & Awards
    • Excellence in Research Award
      UT Southwestern and Children's Health Department of Pediatrics (2016)
    • W.W. Caruth Scholar Fellow Research Award
      (2015-2017)
    • Fellow of the Year Award, Pediatric Residency Program Award
      (2013-2014)
    • Provider of the Month Award
      Family-Centered Care Committee, Parkland Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (2010)
    • Southwestern Medical Foundation Competitive Scholar Award
      (2005-2009)
  • Professional Associations/Affiliations
    • American Academy of Pediatrics
    • Infectious Disease Society of America