About
Katie Hailer is a Professor and Department Head in the Department of Chemistry and Geochemistry at Montana Technological University, part of the Lance College of Mines & Engineering. She earned her B.A. in Chemistry from West Virginia University (2001), Ph.D. in Bioinorganic Chemistry from the University of Montana (2006), and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in oncology at the Mayo Clinic (2007). She previously served on the faculty at Winona State University (2007–2010) before joining Montana Tech in 2010.
Her research focuses on bioinorganic chemistry and environmental toxicology, particularly metal interactions in biological systems. Leveraging Butte, MT’s status as a major Superfund site, her work investigates human metal accumulation due to mining and environmental contamination. Her lab employs biochemical and analytical methods to study oxidative DNA damage, metal carcinogenesis, and the development of nanomaterials for biomedical applications.
The most recent publications reflect a strong trend in environmental health and nanomedicine, including biomonitoring of metal exposure in newborns, nanoparticle-assisted phage therapy, and electrospun delivery systems. These studies integrate toxicology, materials science, and public health, often involving undergraduate researchers and interdisciplinary collaborations.
Dr. Hailer’s research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health INBRE grant, and she holds multiple U.S. patents in antibacterial and antiviral nanomaterials. Her advising includes numerous undergraduate researchers who have co-authored publications, demonstrating her commitment to student engagement in research.
She is actively involved in research innovation at Montana Tech, contributing to initiatives in environmental remediation and advanced materials processing. Her team explores both fundamental mechanisms of metal toxicity and applied solutions for environmental and biomedical challenges.
