She leads a team of over 40 researchers focusing on clinical and translational aspects of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related neurodegenerations.
In 1989, she undertook a two-year clinical and research fellowship in neuromuscular diseases under Dr. Robert H. Brown Jr. at the Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
[8] Along with RCSI research fellow Dr. Matt Greenway, Hardiman discovered angiogenin, a novel gene which may be responsible for motor neuron disease.
[9] Since 2008 she has been the editor in chief of the field journal "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration"[10] and with Colin P Doherty is Co-Editor of the textbook "Neurodegenerative Disorders".
[11] In 2004, Hardiman received the first Palatucci Advocacy Leader of the Year Award from the American Academy of Neurology.
[12] The selection committee commended her "tireless advocacy efforts on behalf of the neurology profession and patients" in Ireland.