Dr. Nicole Wolter

Nicole Wolter is a South African medical scientist and epidemiologist affiliated with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Her work centers on molecular epidemiology, genomic surveillance, and vaccine-preventable diseases, with a strong focus on respiratory pathogens and invasive bacterial infections affecting vulnerable populations.

Her publications highlight leadership in genomic characterization of respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and Group B Streptococcus. She has contributed to standardized phylogenetic frameworks, household transmission studies, and large-scale surveillance platforms, strengthening understanding of pathogen evolution, transmission dynamics, and antimicrobial resistance in high HIV prevalence settings.

Wolter’s research also advances vaccine policy through real-world effectiveness studies and risk factor analyses for severe disease in children and adults. By integrating laboratory science, field epidemiology, and public health surveillance, her work informs immunization strategies and preparedness efforts across South Africa and contributes to global infectious disease control initiatives.