Mara Jana Broadhurst

Mara Jana Broadhurst is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Medicine. She serves as Director of the Infectious Diseases Diagnostics & Biopreparedness Council, U.S. Region 7 Emerging Pathogens Laboratory & Nebraska Biocontainment Unit Laboratory, and Microbiology-Parasitology Service, focusing on diagnostics and public health response for emerging pathogens.

Dr. Broadhurst's educational background includes:

• BS in Biology, University of Oregon
• MD/PhD in Biomedical Sciences, University of California San Francisco
• Pathology residency and medical microbiology fellowship, Stanford University
• Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine

Her research centers on infectious disease diagnostics and infection prevention and control (IPC) for emerging pathogens. She develops novel diagnostic tools and IPC strategies, conducts immune profiling of patient cohorts, and implements testing programs in underserved communities. Leading NIH- and CDC-funded projects, her work addresses SARS-CoV-2 and other high-consequence pathogens with a focus on translating technology into practical public health solutions.

Her significant contributions have been recognized with several awards:

• Gilmore Distinguished New Investigator Award (2023)
• Global Virus Network Rising Star (2021)
• UNeMed Innovator of the Year (2020)
• Warrington Yorke Medal in International Community Health (2017)
• Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (2013)

Dr. Broadhurst leads research in the Emerging Pathogens Laboratory, collaborating with the Emerging Threats Epidemiology Group on clinical studies characterizing host-pathogen interactions. Her NIH/CDC-funded portfolio includes diagnostic development, immune profiling, and community testing implementation. She gained critical field experience as diagnostics lead for Partners In Health during the West Africa Ebola epidemic and as an international mentor for the American Society of Microbiology.

She directs the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit Laboratory and leads the Global Center for Health Security team (innovateipc.org) developing innovative IPC tools for frontline healthcare facilities and outbreak response settings worldwide.