CURRICULUM VITAE
Christa Wagner PhD
Christa Wagner PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Medicine
Division of Medicine Infectious Diseases
Department of Medicine
Division of Medicine Infectious Diseases
OFFICE ADDRESS: |
8701 Watertown Plank Road |
Milwaukee, WI 53226 |
Phone: +1 (414) 9554450 |
Email: christawagner@mcw.edu |
EDUCATION: |
09/2004 - 05/2008 BA with Honors, Oberlin College, Oberlin, OH |
09/2010 - 02/2016 PhD, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD |
03/2016 - 08/2016 Postdoctoral, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD |
POSTGRADUATE TRAINING AND FELLOWSHIP APPOINTMENTS: |
09/2015 Public Policy Fellow, Ovarian Cancer National Alliance, 1101 14th Street NW, Suite 850, Washington, DC 20005 |
09/2016 - 01/2017 Genetics and Public Policy Fellow, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD |
01/2017 - 10/2017 Genetics and Public Policy Fellow, Office of United States Senator Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Washington, DC |
10/2017 - 01/2018 Genetics and Public Policy Fellow, American Society of Human Genetics, Bethesda, MD |
FACULTY APPOINTMENTS: |
07/2023 - Present Assistant Professor, Institute for Health & Humanity, Community Health, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226 |
07/2023 - 02/2026 Founding Director, Center for Sustainability, Health, and the Environment, Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226 |
ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS: |
01/2018 - 11/2018 Legislative Analyst, Office of Government Relations, Association of American Medical Colleges, 655 K Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20001 |
12/2018 - 10/2021 Senior Legislative Analyst, Office of Government Relations, Association of American Medical Colleges, 655 K Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20001 |
11/2021 - 07/2023 Manager, Office of Government Relations, Association of American Medical Colleges, 655 K Street NW, Suite 100, Washington, DC 20001 |
07/2025 - Present Strategic Advisor, MCW Office of Government Relations |
RESEARCH ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS: |
07/2008 - 08/2010 Research Technician, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 |
AWARDS AND HONORS: |
2002 - 2004 National Honors Society |
2002 - 2004 German National Honor Society |
2004 Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Merit Scholarship for Continuing Education |
2008 Associate Member, Sigma Xi |
2008 Honors in Biochemistry, Oberlin College |
2013 First Place, Translational Research Poster Session, Fellows Research Day, Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine |
2014 Outstanding Journal Club Presentation Prize, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine |
2014 - 2016 Turock Scholar Predoctoral Fellowship, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine |
2016 Clinical Immunology Society Travel Award, CIS Annual Meeting |
2023 Friends of Pathology Award, Association of Pathology Chairs |
MEMBERSHIPS IN HONORARY AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIETIES: |
2008 - Present Sigma Xi |
2008 - Present American Chemical Society |
2010 - Present American Association for the Advancement of Science |
2014 - 2015 American Society of Hematology |
2015 - Present Association for Women in Science |
2016 - Present American Society of Human Genetics |
2016 Clinical Immunology Society |
EDITORSHIPS/EDITORIAL BOARDS/JOURNAL REVIEWS: |
Editorship |
2018 - 2023 Editor, Weekly Round Up, The Ad Hoc Group for Medical Research Weekly Newsletter |
2019 - 2023 Co-Editor and Contributor, Washington Highlights, the AAMC weekly newsletter |
01/2024 - 02/2026 Editor, Center for Sustainability, Health, and the Environment monthly newsletter |
Journal Review |
09/2023 - 10/2023 BMC Medical Education |
Ad-Hoc Reviewer |
2016 iBioAmbassador Volunteer Reviewer, iBiology |
2019 - 2020 Invited reviewer and interviewer, American Society of Human Genetics Public Policy Fellowship applications |
2019 - 2022 Invited reviewer, AAMC Innovation Award applications |
2021 Invited reviewer, Cures Within Reach funding opportunities for clinical trials in disease areas impacting veterans |
2022 - 2023 Invited reviewer, AAAS Mass Media Fellowship applications |
2023 - Present Reviewer, Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment Seed Grant Proposals |
2024 Faculty Judge, MCW Medical Student Research Day Poster Contest |
2025 Reviewer, Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment Momentum Grant Proposals |
2025 - Present Reviewer, Planetary Health Annual Meeting abstracts |
2025 Judge, MCW Office of Community Engagement Poster Session |
2025 Reviewer, Wisconsin Partnership Program, New Investigator Program Grant Proposals |
2026 Faculty Judge, MCW Class of 2027 Scholarship Forum |
2026 Reviewer, American Public Health Association Annual Meeting abstracts |
LOCAL/REGIONAL APPOINTED LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE POSITIONS: |
2021 - 2023 Ideation and Implementation Team Member, AAMC Strategic Plan aim “Strengthen
the Nation’s Commitment to Medical Research and the Research Community”, Association of American Medical Colleges |
2022 - 2023 Member, Professional Development Committee, Association of American Medical Colleges |
05/2024 - Present Member, Board of Directors, Clean Wisconsin |
2024 - Present Member, Environmental Sustainability Committee, Children's Wisconsin |
2024 - Present Member, Clinical Stewardship Collaborative, Froedtert Hospital |
2024 - Present Member, Sustainability Council, Froedtert Hospital |
2025 - Present Member, Advisory Board, Wisconsin Science, Technology, and Engineering Policy Fellowship Program (WI STEP) |
NATIONAL ELECTED/APPOINTED LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE POSITIONS: |
2015 - Present Board Member, Heisman Club, Oberlin College |
2018 - 2021 Team Lead, Hill Day, Rally for Medical Research |
2019 - Present Class President, Oberlin College |
2019 Team Lead, Early Career Hill Day, American Association for Cancer Research |
2021 Team Lead, Public Health Week of Action Hill Day, Coalition for Health Funding |
2022 Team Lead, FY 2023 Appropriations Hill Day, Coalition for Health Funding |
2025 - Present Member, Sustainability in Surgical Practice Committee, Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) and European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons (EAES) |
RESEARCH GRANTS/AWARDS/CONTRACTS/PROJECTS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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INVITED LECTURES/WORKSHOPS/PRESENTATIONS: |
National |
"T cell Immunosenescence and Primary Immunodeficiency in Telomerase Mutation Carriers", Clinical Immunology Society Annual Meeting, Pre-Conference Program, Boston, MA, 2016 |
"Veterans Affairs and Animal Research Updates", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtual), 06/2018 |
"Veterans Affairs Update", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtual), 09/2018 |
"Legislative Update", AAMC GRAND Spring Conference, 2018 |
"VA, NSF, and Animal Research", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtually), 03/2019 |
"VA, NSF, and Animal Research", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtual), 06/2019 |
"VA, NSF, Patent Reform, and Animal Research", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtual), 09/2019 |
"Insights on Federal Funding and the National Institutes of Health", AAMC GREAT and GRAND Community Forum, Virtual, 2019 |
"Legislative Update: VA and Other Research Issues", AAMC GRAND Spring Conference, 2019 |
"Department of Veterans Affairs and Other Research Updates", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Virtual, 02/2020 |
"FY 2021 Appropriations and Other Research Updates", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Virtual, 06/2020 |
"AAMC Public Policy and Advocacy Update", AAMC GIP Steering Committee, Virtual, 2020 |
Moderator, "Update from the NIH Office of Extramural Research", AAMC Group on Research, Education, and Training (GREAT) and GRAND Community Forum, Virtual, 2020 |
"Research Authorizing Bills", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Virtual, 03/2021 |
"Federal Funding, VA, Research Issues", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Virtual, 07/2021 |
"Legislative Update", MLA/AAHSL Hull Day preparation, Virtual, 2021 |
"Advocacy Update", Brigham & Women's Hospital Residents' Management & Leadership Track, Virtual, 2021 |
"Health Infrastructure and Legislative Priorities", Association of American Cancer Institutes' Cancer Center Update, Virtual, 2021 |
"Advocacy Update", AAMC GRAND Community Call, 2021 |
"VA, Research Issues, Competitiveness, and FDA", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtual), 03/2022 |
"Research Agencies & Policies, VA, Climate, and Lab-Developed Tests", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtual), 06/2022 |
"Research Agencies & Policies, Lab-Developed Tests, and Climate", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtual), 09/2022 |
"Legislative Update", MLS/SSHSL Hill Day Presentation, Virtual, 2022 |
"Leadership Update", Learn Serve Lead: The AAMC Annual Meeting, GRAND Steering Committee Pre-Conference Meeting, Nashville, TN, 2022 |
"AAMC Priorities and Programs", National Library of Medicine (NLM)/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program - Capstone, Virtual, 2022 |
"Advocacy and Public Policy in Genetics", Clinical Genetics and Genomics Trainee Networking Series, Virtual, 2022 |
"Components for Effective Science Communication", ASHG Advocacy Certificate for Human Genetics Trainees, Virtual, 2022 |
"Public Policy Seminar - Networking Roundtable", Public Leadership Education Network, Virtual, 2022 |
"Advocacy 101", AAMC Chief Medical Officers Leadership Academy, 2022 |
"Meet the Players: Working with Partners to Influence the Policy Process", American Academy of Nursing Jonas Policy Scholars Policy Immersion Program, Washington, DC, 2022 |
"The Role of Coalitions and Associations in the Policy Process", American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering Public Policy Institute for Rising Leaders, Washington, DC, 2022 |
"Leadership Update", AAMC Biomedical Research Training Conference Meeting, Chicago, IL, 2022 |
"Policy Update", AAMC Group on Institutional Planning (GIP) Steering Committee, Virtual, 2022 |
"Research Agencies & Policies, Lab-Developed Tests, and Climate", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtual), 03/2023 |
"Research Agencies & Policies, Lab-Developed Tests, and Climate", AAMC Government Relations Representatives (GRR), Washington, DC (Virtual), 06/2023 |
"FY 2024 Legislative Update", Medical Library Association (MLA)/Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) Hill Day Preparation, Virtual, 2023 |
"Legislative Update", AAMC COD Monthly Call, Virtual, 2023 |
"Introduction to the AAMC Office of Government Relations", University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Advocacy Group, 2023 |
"Introduction to the AAMC Office of Government Relations", AAMC RISE Leadership Program, Washington, DC, 2023 |
"Legislative Update", AAMC GRANT Spring Conference, Washington, DC, 2023 |
"Introduction to the 118th Congress", AAMC Advocacy Ambassadors Webinar, Virtual, 2023 |
Regional |
"Short Telomeres Cause T Cell Immunodeficiency and Immunosenescence", Partnering Towards Discover Lecture Series, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 2015 |
"Beyond the Hill", Johns Hopkins University PHutures Career Seminar, Virtual, 2021 |
"From Chemistry to Congress: Transitioning from the Bench to a Career in Science Policy and Advocacy", Oberlin College Chemistry Majors Career Development Seminar, Virtual, 2021 |
Visiting Professor, "Legislative and Regulatory Impacts on Global Public Health and Pandemic Preparedness" Course Lecture in Biology of Infectious Diseases and Global Impact., Oberlin College Department of Biology, Oberlin, OH, 2023 |
Visiting Professor, "Climate Action and Sustainability in Medical Schools and Teaching Hospitals", Oberlin College Department of Biology, Oberlin, OH, 2023 |
Local |
"Environmental Sustainability & Health: Impacts and Opportunities in Academic Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin Nephrology Conference, Milwaukee, WI, 2023 |
PEER REVIEWED WORKSHOPS/PRESENTATIONS: |
National |
Wagner CL, Heerdt PM, Sunaga H, Savarese JJ, The variant contribution of histamine to the hemodynamic effects of CW002, a cysteine-reversible neuromuscular blocking drug, . International Anesthesiology Research Society (IARS) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA, 03/2009 |
Heerdt PM, Wagner CL, Park B, Hemmings H, Changes in myocardial calcium cycling following lung resection in elderly swine: the potential role of phospholamban dephosphorylation, Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists (SCA) Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, 04/2009 |
Heerdt PM, Wagner CL, Vladagina O, Fontes M, Nitrosative Stress in Cardiac Surgical Patients: The Potential Role of Intraoperative Hyperglycemia, American Society of Anesthesiologists Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, 10/2009 |
Wagner CL, Hanumanthu VS, Kanakry CG, Talbot Jr C, Luznik L, Armanios M., T cell qualitative defects in the telomere syndromes, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories, Telomeres and Telomerase Meeting, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories; Laurel Hollow, NY, 04/2015 |
Wagner, CL and Sistak, M, AAMC’s Strategic Plan: Enhancing Science Outreach and Engagement, AAMC Biomedical Research Training Conference Meeting, Chicago, IL, 09/2022 |
Bello RJ, Love E, Wagner C, Peterson K, Reminick J, Higgins R., Unmasking the Environmental Costs of In-Person Surgery Residency Interviews, APDS Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, 04/2024 |
Regional |
Wagner CL, Zeller M, Oertel C, Hydrothermal Synthesis of a Mixed Ligand Metal-Organic Framework, Oberlin College Sigma Xi Awardees Poster Session, Oberlin, OH, 05/2008 |
Wagner CL, Hanumanthu VS; Kanakry CG, Applegate CD, Thoburn C, Luznik, L, Armanios M, Immunosenescence and Limited T Cell Repertoire in the Telomere Syndromes, Department of Oncology Fellows Research Day, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Baltimore, MD, 05/2013 |
COMMITTEE SERVICE: |
Medical College of Wisconsin |
2023 Reviewer, Seed Grant Proposals, Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment, Medical College of Wisconsin |
MCW TEACHING ACTIVITIES: |
Medical Student Education |
2023 M2 Lecture - Bench to Bedside: Climate Change |
2023 M3 Winter Intersession Lecture: Climate Smart Healthcare |
2024 Urban and Community Health Pathway Lecture |
2024 M4 Policy & Advocacy |
2024 M1 Intro to Climate Change and Health |
COMMUNITY SERVICE ACTIVITIES: |
2002 - 2004 Member, Pastor Nominating Committee, Morristown Presbyterian Church, Morristown, NJ |
2008 - Present Volunteer, Oberlin College Alumni Recruiting Network |
2013 - 2016 Coach, Ladies Night Track, Baltimore, MD |
2019 - Present Class President, Oberlin College Class of 2008 |
2022 - 2023 Coach, Ladies Night Track, Baltimore, MD |
BIBLIOGRAPHY |
Refereed Journal Publications/Original Papers |
1. Heerdt PM, Wagner CL, DeMais M, Savarese JJ. Noninvasive cardiac output monitoring with bioreactance as an alternative to invasive instrumentation for preclinical drug evaluation in beagles. J Pharmacol Toxicol Methods. 2011;64(2):111-8. |
2. Alder JK, Parry EM, Yegnasubramanian S, Wagner CL, Lieblich LM, Auerbach R, Auerbach AD, Wheelan SJ, Armanios M. Telomere phenotypes in females with heterozygous mutations in the dyskeratosis congenita 1 (DKC1) gene. Hum Mutat. 2013 Nov;34(11):1481-5. PMCID: PMC3926107 |
3. Silhan LL, Shah PD, Chambers DC, Snyder LD, Riise GC, Wagner CL, Hellström-Lindberg E, Orens JB, Mewton JF, Danoff SK, Arcasoy MO, Armanios M. Lung transplantation in telomerase mutation carriers with pulmonary fibrosis. Eur Respir J. 2014 Jul;44(1):178-87. PMCID: PMC4076528 |
4. Alder JK, Stanley SE, Wagner CL, Hamilton M, Hanumanthu VS, Armanios M. Exome sequencing identifies mutant TINF2 in a family with pulmonary fibrosis. Chest. 2015 May;147(5):1361-1368. PMCID: PMC4420184 |
5. Stanley SE, Gable DL, Wagner CL, Carlile TM, Hanumanthu VS, Podlevsky JD, Khalil SE, DeZern AE, Rojas-Duran MF, Applegate CD, Alder JK, Parry EM, Gilbert WV, Armanios M. Loss-of-function mutations in the RNA biogenesis factor NAF1 predispose to pulmonary fibrosis-emphysema. Sci Transl Med. 2016 Aug 10;8(351):351ra107. PMCID: PMC5351811 |
6. Wagner CL, Hanumanthu VS, Talbot CC Jr, Abraham RS, Hamm D, Gable DL, Kanakry CG, Applegate CD, Siliciano J, Jackson JB, Desiderio S, Alder JK, Luznik L, Armanios M. Short telomere syndromes cause a primary T cell immunodeficiency. J Clin Invest. 2018 Dec 03;128(12):5222-5234. PMCID: PMC6264634 |
7. Bello RJ, Love E, Peterson KJ, Wagner CL, Reminick JI, Higgins RM. Unmasking the Environmental Costs of In-Person General Surgery Residency Interviews. J Surg Educ. 2025 Mar;82(3):103391. |
Editorials, Letters To Editor, Other |
1. Wagner, CL. “Association of American Medical Colleges.” Social Determinants of Health and Health Equity: A CHF Member Perspective. November 2021. |
