Graham F. Hatfull

Biosketch

Dr. Hatfull is Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. He received his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Edinburgh University in 1981 and did postdoctoral work at Yale University and at the Medical Research Council at Cambridge University. He joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1988 and served as Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences from 2003 to 2011. Dr. Hatfull’s research focuses on the molecular genetics of the mycobacteria and their bacteriophages, and their use for educational advancement and clinical interventions. Dr. Hatfull has published over 300 articles, book chapters and reviews, and has co-edited four books. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the American Academy of Microbiology, and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He has been a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor since 2002.

Research Interests

Dr. Hatfull’s research focuses on the study of bacteriophages with a particular focus on phages that infect Mycobacteria. There are three deeply interconnected components: 1) phage genomics, evolution, replication, and host dynamics, 2) the use of phage discovery and genomics to promote science education, and 3) the therapeutic use of phages for treatment of Mycobacterium infections. The vast genomic diversity of phage genomes underpins impactful education programs such as the SEA-PHAGES initiative that introduces first year undergraduate students to authentic research. The large phage collection resulting provides a rich resource for investigating all aspects of phage biology, and provides a powerful resource for developing phage therapies for tuberculosis and nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infections. A variety of phage-based tools have fueled Mycobacterium genetics and biotechnology.