In this episode of Discovery Dialogues, Dr. Heather Hartmann shares her journey from chemistry undergraduate to Vanderbilt graduate student and postdoctoral scholar, highlighting the experiences that shaped her career in biomedical research. She discusses her groundbreaking work on thyroid cancer biomarkers and the effects of PFAS “forever chemicals,” as well as her current research on drug metabolism and Cytochrome P450 enzymes. Heather also reflects on the transition from graduate student to postdoc, the importance of mentorship, and how Vanderbilt’s collaborative research environment has helped her develop new skills and explore diverse career possibilities. Along the way, she offers practical advice for trainees about embracing uncertainty, seeking out new experiences, and finding the right fit in research and mentorship.
Meet Heather
Heather Hartmann, Ph.D., is a postdoctoral scholar in the department of Biochemistry at Vanderbilt University in the laboratory of F. Peter Guengerich. The Guengerich lab studies cytochrome P450s, a superfamily of enzymes that are heavily involved in drug metabolism. Heather’s current research focuses on understanding the interaction between fatty acid binding proteins and P450s in cardiac failure. Prior to starting her postdoctoral studies, Heather was a graduate student at Vanderbilt University, co-mentored by Vivian Weiss and Ethan Lee in the department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology. Her dissertation work revealed how PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, can contribute to thyroid cancer progression. Heather is currently Vice President of the Vanderbilt Postdoctoral Association, and her postdoctoral work is supported by the Integrated Biological Systems Training in Oncology Program (T32) and the American Heart Association Postdoctoral Fellowship.
Show Notes
Quantitative & Chemical Biology Program at Vanderbilt
Guengerich Research Laboratory
Translational Pathology Shared Resource
High-Throughput Biomarker Core
Vanderbilt Postdoc Association
Transcript