Anke Hemmerling

Anke Hemmerling, MD, PhD, MPH is an Associate Adjunct Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and serves as the Director of the Interdisciplinary MPH Program in the UC Berkeley School of Public Health. With a strong background in medicine, medical sciences, and public health, she bridges clinical practice, research, and education with a focus on global women's health.

Dr. Hemmerling received her MD and PhD from Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany, and her MPH from the University of California, Berkeley. During her clinical training, she gained extensive experience working in health projects and hospitals in Latin America, which shaped her commitment to addressing global health disparities.

Her research spans several interconnected areas of women's health, with a particular emphasis on preventing sexually transmitted infections, developing novel microbicides and live biotherapeutic products for HIV/STI prevention, understanding fertility choices, and promoting safe motherhood. She has made significant contributions to the field of vaginal microbiome research, particularly in developing LACTIN-V (Lactobacillus crispatus CTV-05) as a biotherapeutic for preventing bacterial vaginosis recurrence and HIV acquisition.

Dr. Hemmerling has been actively involved in numerous clinical trials, including serving as protocol co-Chair for the NIH-sponsored multi-site phase 2B study for the prevention of bacterial vaginosis using LACTIN-V. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to translating basic science discoveries into practical interventions that can improve women's health outcomes globally.

She serves as a senior technical adviser for the Initiative for Multipurpose Prevention Technologies for Reproductive Health (IMPT) and participates in data safety monitoring boards for federally funded clinical studies. Additionally, she contributes to the Education Committee at the UCGHI Center of Expertise in Women's Health, Gender and Empowerment.

Dr. Hemmerling is actively engaged in mentoring and teaching medical students, undergraduates, graduate students, and post-doctoral fellows across both UCSF and UC Berkeley. Her approach integrates clinical research with public health practice, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in global education and capacity building.