Julia Halterman

Dr. Julia Halterman received her BS in Biology at Texas A&M University and her PhD in Pharmacology at the University of Virginia. She additionally completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Virginia as an extension of her PhD work researching cardiovascular disease. Julia currently teaches Interdisciplinary Seminar I, Medical Terminology, and Research in Biomedicine, and she oversees the MCAT and DAT prep courses. In the past, Julia has taught other courses such as Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II, Human Gross & Microscopic Anatomy, Advanced Human Physiology, Animal Form & Function, and Nutrition Fundamentals.

Dr. Halterman’s current research interests include:

• Using rapid qPCR to detect common bacterial and viral infections
• Investigating the use of saliva as a diagnostic tool
• Developing a fast, accurate diagnostic test to detect strep throat in saliva samples

Most recent publication - January 2024

• Halterman JA. Building Scholars by Building Community: Advising Strategies for Diverse Student Populations. National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions Annual Conference. Washington D.C., 2018.
• Packialakshmi B, Hira S, Halterman JA, Lees J, Zhou X. The transcription factor NFAT5 inhibits experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. American Association of Immunologists Annual Meeting. Austin, TX, 2018.
• Ferguson KM, Herman BA, Halterman JA. High dietary salt and fructose alter AR and NFAT5 gene expression in various tissues of the Sprague Dawley rat. Oral Presentation. Virginia Academy of Sciences Annual Conference. Richmond, VA, 2017.
• Morris J, Halterman JA. Diet-induced alteration of COX2 gene expression in the Sprague Dawley rat. Poster Presentation. Virginia Academy of Sciences Annual Conference. Richmond, VA, 2017.
• Halterman JA. Targeted homework assignments to create meaningful in-class interactions. Oral Presentation, University of Virginia Innovation in Pedagogy Summit. Charlottesville, VA, 2016.
• Halterman JA, Stauffer CS, Hershberger AK, Smucker JE, Miller RJ. A unique transdisciplinary model of post-baccalaureate biomedical education. Poster Presentation, American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Annual Conference. Washington D.C., 2016.
• Herman B, Ferguson K, Fernandez J, Halterman JA. High dietary salt and fructose increase NFAT5 expression in the kidney and liver of Sprague-Dawley rats. Oral Presentation, Virginia Academy of Sciences Annual Conference. Fredericksburg, VA, 2016.
• Ferguson K, Fernandez J, Herman B, Halterman JA. NFAT5 is differentially regulated in the brain and bladder of rats fed a 4% NaCl, 8% NaCl, and 64% fructose diet. Poster Presentation, Virginia Academy of Sciences Annual Conference. Fredericksburg, VA, 2016.
• Halterman JA. Atherosclerotic plaque build-up in our arteries: uncovering the novel role of a transcription factor in this complex disease. Invited Speaker, Eastern Mennonite University Suter Science Seminar. Harrisonburg, VA, 2012.
• Halterman JA. Atherosclerosis: the build-up of plaque in our arteries. Invited Speaker, Eastern Mennonite High School AP Biology Class. Harrisonburg, VA, 2012.
• Halterman JA, Kwon HM, Leitinger N, Wamhoff BR. NFAT5 expression in bone marrow-derived cells enhances atherosclerosis and drives macrophage migration. Poster Presentation, Experimental Biology Annual Conference. San Diego, CA, 2012.
• Halterman JA, Kwon HM, Schoppee Bortz PD, Wamhoff BR. Nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 (NFAT5) regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation. Poster Presentation, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Annual Conference. Chicago, IL, 2011.
• Halterman JA, Kwon HM, Schoppee Bortz PD, Wamhoff BR. Nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 (NFAT5) regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation. Poster Presentation, Experimental Biology Annual Conference. Washington D.C., 2011.
• Halterman JA, Wamhoff BR. NFAT5 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation and accelerates atherosclerosis. Invited Speaker, James Madison University Virginia Biotechnology Association Graduate Bioscience Symposium. Harrisonburg, VA, 2011.
• Halterman JA, Wamhoff BR. NFAT5 regulates vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation and accelerates atherosclerosis. Invited Speaker, University of Virginia Department of Pharmacology Retreat. Whitehall, VA, 2011.
• Lemmon JA, Kwon HM, Wamhoff BR. NFAT5 positively regulates SMαA gene expression in vascular smooth muscle. Invited Speaker, American Physiological Society, Cardiovascular Section, Coordinate Regulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Gene Expression, Cell Phenotype, and Vessel Function, Experimental Biology Annual Conference. Anaheim, CA, 2010.
• Lemmon JA, Kwon HM, Wamhoff BR. NFAT5 positively regulates SMαA gene expression in vascular smooth muscle. Poster Presentation, Experimental Biology Annual Conference. Anaheim, CA, 2010.
• Lemmon JA, Zargham R, Kwon HM, Wamhoff BR. The tonicity response factor NFAT5 is a novel regulator of smooth muscle cell phenotypic modulation. Poster Presentation, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology Annual Conference. Washington D.C., 2009.