Vonetta Edwards

Vonetta Edwards, PhD, serves as a Research Associate in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, based at the Institute for Genome Sciences within Health Sciences Facility III.

Her academic credentials include:

• BS in Biology from St Francis College (2003)
• MS in Molecular Biology from Long Island University – Brooklyn Campus (2006)
• PhD in Biological Sciences from University of Maryland – College Park (2012)
• Postdoctoral training in Host Pathogenesis at University of Maryland – Baltimore (2018)

Dr. Edwards specializes in applying cell culture models to investigate vaginal microbiome dynamics and their impact on host susceptibility to sexually transmitted infections. Her interdisciplinary research integrates molecular biology, microbiology, and bioinformatics to study pathogen mechanisms of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae within the female reproductive tract. This work directly informs the development of improved diagnostics, prevention strategies, and therapeutics for STIs through analysis of host-pathogen interactions and microbiome modulation.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent focus on cervicovaginal microbiota-pathogen relationships, utilizing advanced models like polarized epithelial cell systems and porcine mucosa to elucidate bacterial invasion mechanisms and protective microbial interactions. Key themes include microbiome-mediated defense against STIs and hormone-influenced host responses.

She maintains active research operations at the Institute for Genome Sciences, contributing to collaborative projects in host-microbe interactions and translational microbiome research.