Norman L Beatty, MD, FACP

Norman L. Beatty is an Associate Professor of Medicine at the University of Florida College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine. He graduated from the University of Central Florida College of Medicine with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Microbiology, and a B.S. in Biotechnology. He then went on to study at Ross University School of Medicine and graduated with High Honors with his M.D. degree. He completed his Internal Medicine residency and Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson.

Dr. Beatty has been studying triatomines (kissing bugs) the insect vector responsible for transmitting the parasite that causes Chagas disease in humans and other mammals and Chagas disease since 2015. He is currently researching the prevalence of Chagas disease in Florida as well as throughout the United States. His research has been presented at several conferences, including both the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene annual scientific meetings. Dr. Beatty has a clinic dedicated to Chagas disease which offers advanced testing and management.

Dr. Beatty is an Infectious Disease specialist who has a primary focus on tropical medicine and neglected tropical diseases. Chagas Disease: Screening, diagnosis, and management; Leishmaniasis: Diagnosis and management of cutaneous syndromes and mucosal disease; Neurocysticercosis and other extraneural manifestations; Endemic mycosis: Coccidioidomycosis, Histoplasmosis, Bastomycosis, Paracoccidioidomycosis; HIV disease management

Dr. Beatty has a research focus investigating clinical manifestations of Chagas disease. He also studies the “kissing bug” which is the insect vector known to harbor the protozoan parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, which is the causative agent of Chagas disease. He is also interested in other Neglected Tropical Diseases, particularly those found in Latin America.

Currently, he is working with a multidisciplinary team at UF, including Dr. John Diaz at CAFÉ Latino to tackle health disparities among Latin American agricultural workers from around the state of Florida. In collaboration with Dr. Samantha Wisely at the UF Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Department they are investigating Trypanosoma cruzi infection among wildlife hosts. Dr. Beatty is also studying the kissing bugs native to North America, including those that live naturally in Florida. Working with Dr. Wisely and Dr. Nathan Burkett-Cadena they are collecting and analyzing kissing bugs for T. cruzi and risks for transmission of Chagas disease in Florida.

Dr. Beatty works closely with other non-profits and global health partners tackling Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) worldwide, including the Chagas Coalition, DNDi, and Mundo Sano. He is an active member of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and the American Committee on Clinical Tropical Medicine and Travelers’ Health.