PD Dr. med. Andrea Rachow, MSc Epidemiology (LSHTM)
Deputy Unit Head, Unit Global Health (UGH), Environmental Health Center (EHC)“As a clinician-scientist, I am dedicated to combating tuberculosis—one of the most frequent and deadly infectious disease worldwide. My research focuses on advancing patient-centered tuberculosis care, with a particular emphasis on the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis-associated lung diseases."
“As a clinician-scientist, I am dedicated to combating tuberculosis—one of the most frequent and deadly infectious disease worldwide. My research focuses on advancing patient-centered tuberculosis care, with a particular emphasis on the diagnosis and management of tuberculosis-associated lung diseases."
Academic career and research areas
After completing her residency in Internal Medicine at Klinikum Merheim (Cologne), Charité University Hospital (Berlin), and LMU Klinikum (Munich), Andrea Rachow spent three years in Tanzania, leading the Tuberculosis Research Unit at the National Institute of Medical Research-Mbeya Medical Research Center (NIMR-MMRC).
As an investigator in multiple tuberculosis (TB) research projects, she developed a strong interest in clinical research, particularly in TB. During this time, she also became acutely aware of the long-term morbidity, including respiratory diseases, that many TB survivors face even after successful antibiotic treatment. This realization sparked her lasting commitment to post-TB lung disease (PTLD), shaping her academic career.
After returning to Germany and the Institute of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine at LMU (Munich), Andrea continued her TB research in Africa, particularly in Tanzania and Mozambique, while earning a Master’s in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) alongside her specialization in Tropical Medicine. She also served as an investigator and principal investigator (PI) in national and international TB projects for the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), focusing on personalized TB diagnostics and treatment strategies.
In 2015, she and an international consortium secured research funding for the TB Sequel project, the first large-scale research project of PTLD globally. Since 2023, Andrea has co-directed the TB Sequel Consortium, advancing research with one of the currently largest PTLD cohort studies, along with clinical trials and socio-economic outcome investigations.
Beyond research, Andrea is dedicated to strengthening clinical expertise and infrastructure in partner countries. She has led several training initiatives to improve tuberculosis and respiratory healthcare and has mentored numerous Master’s and PhD students from Africa, fostering the next generation of clinician scientists.
Focus areas, skills and expertise
Tuberculosis Post Tuberculosis Lung DiseaseChronic Respiratory Diseases Global Health Clinical Cohorts Therapeutic Interventions International Research Collaborations
Facts and Figures
Co-Director of the TB Sequel Project
DZIF PI and Co-Lead of the DZIF Eastern European Study Site (EESS)
Co-PI and scientific coordinator of the TB Sequel project
Tuberculosis Research Group Leader at the Institute for Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases at the LMU-Klinikum
Head of the Tuberculosis Research Unit at the NIMR-Mbeya Medical Research Center in Mbeya, Tanzania
Recognitions
Member of expert committee advising the WHO on the development of a clinical guideline on the Diagnosis and Management of TB-associated Lung Diseases
Co-director and PI of BMBF Grant for TB Sequel (www.tbsequel.org); RHISSA - Research Networks for Health Innovations in Sub-Saharan Africa
2019 and 2023: Founding member and member of the steering committee of the 1st and 2nd International Post-Tuberculosis Symposium; www.post-tuberculosis.com
