Principal Investigator
For her entire career, Kathy has been fascinated by the interactions between hosts and pathogens, and how these interactions shape pathogen transmission and virulence. She graduated magna cum laude with a major in Biology from Amherst College, and she completed her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of California, San Diego. She conducted post-doctoral research at the University of California, Davis, the University of Maryland, and the National Institutes of Health, where she participated in the development of the NIH dengue virus vaccine. Since joining New Mexico State University in 2004, her lab has been at the forefront of research on the ecology and evolution of viruses transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever virus. They have conducted groundbreaking field research on the ecology, spillover, and spillback of sylvatic arboviruses and their vectors around the world. They have also made significant advances via laboratory studies on arbovirus evolution and on the interaction between arboviruses and the mosquito RNA interference response. More recently they have launched a study of the ecology and emergence of vesicular stomatitis virus. Kathy is currently a Regents Professor of Biology at NMSU and a Visiting Scientist at the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies. She is a past President of the Rio Grande branch of the American Society for Microbiology and a past Chair of the American Committee on Arthropod-Borne viruses (ACAV). She is the recipient of the ACAV Dalrymple-Young award for research excellence and the NMSU College of Arts and Sciences award for excellence in graduate student mentorship. She is currently co-principal investigator of CREATE-NEO (Coordinating Research on Emerging Arboviral Disease Threats Encompassing the Neotropics), one of ten NIH-funded centers for research on emerging infectious diseases. Kathy and her husband Tim are the proud parents of son Nick and daughter Maddie; now that their kids are in graduate school and college, respectively, they spend a lot of their time meeting the demands of their overly-indulged rescue dogs.
Click this here to listen to Kathy being interviewed on This Week in Virology.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Hélène is a mathematical modeler, primarily interested in the epidemiology and ecology of vector-borne and zoonotic diseases. After an engineering degree in bioinformatics and mathematical modeling, she worked on a model of tsetse fly population dynamics applied to Senegal. She then completed her PhD on Rift Valley fever virus transmission dynamics in livestock, also applied to Senegal. Her PhD received an award by the french Academy of Agriculture. She now works as a postdoc in the lab, on transmission-clearance trade-offs in native and novel non-human primate hosts of dengue and Zika viruses. She mostly uses mechanistic modeling, at different scales: from countrywide risk mapping to within-host viral dynamics. She's also very keen on scientific outreach activities, and participated in Skype a Scientist, Soapbox Science, and Pint of Science, to name a few.
Post-Doctoral Fellow
Dr. Jessica Martin is a postdoctoral fellow researching the ecological dynamics of vesicular stomatitis, a viral disease affecting horses and livestock in Mexico and the U.S. An ecologist by training, she is broadly interested in vector-borne disease, biogeography, and public health.
Jessica earned a Ph.D. from Stanford University in 2021. Her doctoral dissertation focused on host-parasite interactions, encompassing both how host communities can affect parasites as well as utilizing machine learning to determine which species-level tick traits best predict their potential as vectors of zoonotic diseases. Following graduate school, Jessica worked as a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Ecology at New Mexico State University researching ecological parasitology in arid environments. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending her time hiking in her home state of New Mexico and playing and composing avant-garde singer-songwriter music.
Affiliate Professor
Ben is a mathematical epidemiologist focusing on the transmission dynamics of infectious diseases. He was an Omidyar Fellow at the Santa Fe Institute, holds a PhD in Epidemiology and a Master of Science in Biostatistics from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Mathematics and Biochemistry from the University of Washington. His research spans a multitude of projects, ranging from changing the understanding of the fundamental transmission dynamics of sylvatic and human arboviruses, whooping cough and COVID-19, the way human behavior influences disease transmission, to lending statistical support to ongoing and completed clinical trials and observational studies using electronic health record (EHR) datasets and AHRQ data, to using Google searches and Tweets to understand how people search for health-related information. He is currently, an Affiliate Professor in the Department of Biology at NMSU and an Affiliate Associate Professor at the Information School at UW.
PhD Student
I grew up mostly in San Antonio, Texas and earned my B.S. in Animal Ecology from Iowa State University. I am an avid hockey fan (Go Knights!) and self-proclaimed George Washington Carver enthusiast. I am a PhD student in Biology, co-advised by Dr. Gompper and Dr. Hanley, and a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. My dissertation research investigates the relationship between wildfires and the eco-epidemiology of rodent-maintained pathogens.
PhD Student
My favorite aspect of scientific research is using genetic data and phylogenetic tools to better understand various systems around us. I obtained my B.A. in Biology from Saint John’s University (MN), and my M.S. in Biology from New Mexico State University. At SJU, I worked in the Page lab investigating associations between microsatellite and reproductive behavior variation in puff-throated bulbuls (Alophoixus pallidus). At NMSU, I worked in the Houde lab investigating the phylogenetic utility of mtDNA for reconstructing deep avian divergence events, as well as a variety of data partitioning, data re-coding, and phylogenetic construction techniques. In the Hanley Lab, I started as a data analyst investigating transmission dynamics of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) in outbreak and endemic regions of the virus before deciding to continue this research for my PhD.
MS Student
I am a driven individual with a passion for research and a commitment to pursuing a career as a professor. Currently pursuing my master’s degree in biotech at New Mexico State University (NMSU), I have gained valuable skills and experience in molecular biology techniques, data analysis, and research methodology. I am actively involved in ongoing research projects, including the development of a respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine and investigations on viremia in Dengue virus. I serve as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Biology Department where I assist students by overseeing their lab work and providing mentorship to ensure academic success. I also work as a Vaccine Coordinator working with the New Mexico Department of Health ensuring children get their recommended vaccines. Beyond my academic pursuits, I nurture my love for music and the performing arts as a chorister at NMSU. With my strong research background, dedication to learning, and aspirations of becoming a professor, I am committed to making significant contributions in the field of virology, health equity, and vaccine development.
MS Student
Madelin Whelpley was born and raised in Las Cruces, NM and began her undergraduate at New Mexico State University as a member of the track and field team. She entered the Hanley Lab as an undergraduate researcher and choose to continue her research education by pursuing a master’s degree in the biology department. Her thesis research was focused on drivers of vector-borne, troublesome livestock pathogen, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) in Southern New Mexico by monitoring black fly (Simulium sp.) communities at a species level, a primary vector of VSV. Following completion of her master’s degree, Madelin has been accepted into University of New Mexico School of Medicine where she will be pursuing her MD and hopes to carry her love for research into her practice.
MS Student
I am an alumna of Missouri State University where I received my bachelors of science in Biology and graduated cum laude. Since joining the Hanley Virus Lab, I have done extensive work in the laboratory and field. Leading two projects while pursuing my masters: 1) in New Mexico focusing on providing updated information on the ticks and tick-borne pathogens, 2) in Panama, investigating the impacts of land use land cover change on arboviruses hosted by birds in Colón Province. While outside of the lab I enjoy hiking, painting, and hanging out with my sweet cat Pebbles.
Lab Tech
Originally from Albuquerque, NM, I received my B.S. in Biology from NMSU in 2021 and am currently pursuing my PhD in Microbiology at Colorado State University. I am interested broadly in virus-host interactions and the molecular biology that drives viral replication and transmission with particular interest in vector-borne disease. In the Hanley lab, I've worked on projects investigating the fitness consequences of evolved drug-resistance in dengue virus as well as examining the balance between replication and clearance as it relates to host immunological markers and vector transmission in dengue and Zika viruses. Outside of the lab, I am an avid baker, lover of crafts, and board game hobbyist.
Lab Tech
I was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where I stayed to attend college at New Mexico State University. I earned bachelor’s degrees in Microbiology and Biology and completed an undergraduate research thesis in Dr. Kathryn Hanley’s lab. For my thesis, I worked on a project testing the potential utility of the antibiotic ciprofloxacin as an antiviral against dengue virus. Specifically, I investigated the fitness consequences of dengue virus resistance to ciprofloxacin in multiple cell lines. My time in Dr. Hanley’s lab fostered my interest in emerging infectious disease research and I decided to pursue a master’s degree focusing on disease ecology! I completed my master’s research with Dr. Jamie Voyles at the University of Nevada in Reno, where I investigated the role of the innate immune system in protecting Panamanian golden frogs from the deadly fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis. After graduation, I returned to the Hanley lab as a research technician and have been working on numerous projects focusing on emerging infectious diseases like dengue virus, Zika virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus. I plan on starting a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences at the University of New Mexico in the fall of 2023! I hope to continue doing research on host-pathogen interactions, specifically as they involve emerging infectious diseases and the development of novel vaccines and therapeutics to treat these diseases. Outside of the lab, I enjoy hiking, reading, and spending time with my family!
Lab Tech
I graduated with a B.S. in Biology from New Mexico State University. My current research interests include arthropod vector biology as well as vector-borne plant diseases. I am currently a Lab Technician working with the VSV team. I like to enjoy a nice book or some good tunes when I’m not in the lab.
Undergrad
My name is Andrew Montoya and it is my pleasure to introduce myself. Born and raised in Las Cruces, NM, I am proud to serve my community. My first job was at a nursing home and was a student athletic trainer during all four years in high school, treating and preventing injuries. Pursuing dentistry is the agency in which I will continue to give back to Las Cruces. I currently attend NMSU to major in biology and minor in chemistry and finance. Being engrossed in the world of science, I work at the Hanley Virus Lab at NMSU as an Undergraduate Lab Tech. On the side I like to run and bike in the desert while listening to music ranging from country to modern swing.
Undergrad
My name is Jenna Wainwright. I am an undergraduate student currently working on the vesicular stomatitis virus project. I am majoring in microbiology and minoring in chemistry and molecular biology. After graduating I hope to attend graduate school to earn a master's and PhD while continuing research on viruses. In my free time I enjoy working out, listening to music, and spending time with friends.
Undergrad
Currently an undergrad in Wildlife Management and a Hanley Lab tech. Heavy interest in entomology related issues and research. Outside of the lab: an active member of the local LGBTQ+ community, also enjoys making art and daydreaming of life on the sea!
Undergrad
I was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but came to NMSU for my undergraduate degree. I am a senior majoring in biology and have been in the Hanley lab since my sophomore year. My project focuses on how urban microclimate affects the transcription of immune genes in Aedes mosquitoes. I am interested in research in vaccine development as well as research on emerging infectious diseases. Outside of the lab, I love to run, hike, play with my dog, and crochet!
1200 S Horseshoe St. Foster Hall Office: 479 Lab: 455
New Mexico State University
Las Cruces, NM 88003
