Andreea Waltmann

Andreea Waltmann, PhD serves as a Research Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine. Her research focuses on improving reproductive and sexual health outcomes for vulnerable populations at risk of sexually transmitted infections.

• Undergraduate: Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
• Graduate: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, University of Melbourne, Australia
• Postdoctorate: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Dr. Waltmann specializes in molecular epidemiology and genomics of infectious diseases, with primary research interests in reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections (particularly gonorrhea), and genomics. Her work employs multi-omic approaches (genomics and transcriptomics) on patient samples to understand STI risk factors and advance gonorrhea immunology. She targets underserved populations including women, expectant mothers, and HIV-positive individuals in her studies.

Her publication record shows consistent contributions to gonorrhea vaccine development, genital microbiome research, and STI pathogenesis. Recent work demonstrates cross-protective immunity from meningococcal vaccines against gonorrhea, identifies microbiome predictors of infection outcomes, and establishes human challenge models for STI research. Her articles span high-impact journals including Frontiers in Immunology, PLoS Pathogens, and Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Waltmann maintains an active laboratory in the Medical Biomolecular Research Building at UNC Chapel Hill, where she conducts observational studies and translational research aimed at improving health outcomes for STI-affected populations and contributing to gonorrhea vaccine licensure.