About

The Hartmann Lab investigates how chronic and traumatic stress shape the brain, body, and behavior. Our goal is to uncover the molecular, cellular, and circuit-level mechanisms that determine susceptibility or resilience to stress-related mental disorders.

We combine advanced mouse models with machine learning-based behavioral analysis, single-cell transcriptomics, and viral vector approaches to dissect stress-regulated pathways in specific cell types and neural circuits. Through this work, we aim to understand how these molecular and circuit-level changes contribute to the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders such as major depressive disorder (MDD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A major focus of our research examines how stress interacts with the immune system and the gut microbiome to shape brain function and behavior. We are particularly interested in how chronic stress triggers neuroinflammatory processes, alters gut microbial composition, and impacts neuronal stress circuits. By integrating microbiome analyses, neuroimmune profiling, and brain-wide activity mapping, we seek to define the biological pathways that link peripheral stress responses to central neural adaptations.

Our multidisciplinary approach spans molecular and cellular assays, genetic and transgenic techniques in mice, and analyses of human postmortem brain tissue. By bridging preclinical and clinical data, we aim to uncover mechanisms that inform new strategies to promote stress resilience and to prevent or treat psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.

At the Hartmann Lab, we believe that scientific innovation thrives in a diverse and inclusive environment. We are committed to cultivating a culture that values different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, and to creating a space where every team member feels respected, supported, and empowered to contribute to their fullest potential.

The Hartmann Lab is located at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, and is affiliated with the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the Biology of Adversity Project at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.