Annika Graaf-Rau studied veterinary medicine at LMU Munich and earned her doctorate in 2019 at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI), where she focused on highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses. She contributed to projects on animal influenza dynamics and participated in the development of novel diagnostic tools and vaccines. Her work on highly pathogenic zoonoses — including SARS-CoV-2 — provided her with extensive experience in BSL-3 laboratories and high-containment animal facilities. Certified as a virology specialist in 2021, she has led several international workshops on molecular diagnostics for zoonotic pathogens.

Since 2024, she has been part of the Pathogen Evolution department at the Helmholtz Institute for One Health (HIOH). Her research focuses on analyzing historical pathological specimens of both animal and human origin to better understand the evolution and dynamics of infectious diseases, with particular emphasis on viral evolution, host-pathogen interactions, and epidemiology. In addition to her research, she is also actively engaged in capacity building and the transfer of molecular biology techniques in African partner countries.