Kathleen Pratt

Kathleen Pratt is a Professor and Vice Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). She also holds positions in Basic Sciences and previously served as Associate Professor in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Her research spans the interface between blood coagulation, inflammation, and immunology, with over 20 years of specialized focus on Factor VIII structure, function, and immunogenicity.

Dr. Pratt earned her PhD in Biophysical Chemistry from Cornell University (1992), a Bachelor's in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Washington (1984), and a Bachelor's in Liberal Arts from The Evergreen State College (1976). Her academic journey includes research positions at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Puget Sound Blood Center, and University of Washington School of Medicine before joining USUHS.

Her laboratory employs a multidisciplinary approach, from molecular modeling and x-ray crystallography to cellular immunology. Early work elucidated mechanisms of fibrin polymerization and Factor VIII orientation on platelet surfaces. Current research examines racial disparities in anti-FVIII antibody development among hemophilia A patients and immunothrombosis in COVID-19. Recent publications reveal a strong focus on hemophilia A, Factor VIII immunogenicity, and post-COVID complications, demonstrating consistent exploration of coagulation-immune system interactions with increasing translational applications.

• National 'My Life Our Future' database analysis for hemophilia A
• Natural history study of antibody responses in ~400 hemophilia A patients
• Development of hemophilia A mouse model transgenic for FVIII-specific B-cell receptor
• Profiling of plasma and cellular fractions from hospitalized COVID-19 patients
• Engineering 'off-the-shelf' resuscitation fluids as alternatives to blood transfusions

Dr. Pratt's research is primarily funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, with major projects including 'Design of Less Immunogenic Factor VIII Proteins' (2016-2021) and 'Induction of tolerance to FVIII by engineered T regulatory cells in hemophilia' (2015-2023). She collaborates extensively with researchers at University of Pittsburgh, University of Minnesota, and USUHS colleagues on studies ranging from basic immunology to clinical applications. Her work has significant translational implications for hemophilia treatment, understanding immunothrombosis, and developing novel trauma resuscitation approaches.