Helene Andrews-Polymenis

Dr. Helene Andrews-Polymenis is a distinguished professor and researcher at Texas A&M University College of Medicine. Here are some key points about her:

Education and Training

• Dr. Andrews-Polymenis earned her A.B. in Biology from Brown University in 1989, her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology/Microbiology from Tufts University in 1999, and her D.V.M. from Texas A&M University in 2001. She also completed her postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Andreas Baumler from 2001 to 2004.146

Career

• She joined the faculty at Texas A&M University College of Medicine in the Department of Microbial and Molecular Pathogenesis in 2005 and was promoted to Professor with Tenure in 2017.125

Research

• Her research focuses on the pathogenesis of Salmonella and how host genetics influences the outcome of Salmonella and Staphylococcal infections. Her lab works on identifying the genes that allow Salmonella to be infectious and elucidating their biological functions.146

Honors and Awards

• Dr. Andrews-Polymenis has received several notable awards, including the Texas A&M University College of Medicine Research Award (2010), the TAMU Presidential Impact Scholar Award (2018), and she was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology in 2023. She was also named the Outstanding Alumna of 2024 by the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine.124

Patient Advocacy

• Diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma in 2019, and with her father receiving the same diagnosis, Dr. Andrews-Polymenis has become a patient advocate. She works with various organizations to improve clinical trials, mentor patients, and make cancer care easier to navigate for those with pancreatic cancer.1

Teaching and Mentoring

• In addition to her research, Dr. Andrews-Polymenis teaches medical students and actively mentors trainees, graduate students, and undergraduate students in her laboratory.13

Personal and Professional Interests

• She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and working for charitable causes. Dr. Andrews-Polymenis is also active in social justice and is described as a fighter for social justice on her social media profiles.17