Norma Andrews

Norma Andrews is a Professor at the University of Maryland, specializing in molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathogen-host interactions. Her research focuses on intracellular pathogens such as Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania species, particularly their strategies to subvert host cell processes like lysosome exocytosis and membrane repair. She investigates how pathogens exploit cellular pathways to invade host cells and evade immune responses, with recent emphasis on acid sphingomyelinase's role in membrane repair and parasite entry.

Education: Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of São Paulo, Brazil (1983). Research affiliations include the BISI-Molecular & Cellular Biology program. Key projects include studying Leishmania virulence mechanisms, iron metabolism in pathogens, and the role of lysosomal exocytosis in cell repair. Her work bridges cell biology, parasitology, and immunology, contributing to understanding fundamental cellular processes and their hijacking by pathogens.

Research highlights include discoveries on Ca²⁺-regulated lysosome mobilization for membrane repair, the role of endophilin-A2 in endocytic repair pathways, and the identification of Leishmania-specific transporters and enzymes critical for infection. Grants and collaborations support her interdisciplinary approach, addressing both basic science and translational implications for infectious diseases.