About
Dr. Renea Sturm is a board-certified pediatric urologist and Associate Professor of Urology. She cares for infants, children, and adolescents with complex conditions of the kidneys, bladder, urethra, and genital development. Her surgical expertise includes hypospadias repair, lower urinary tract reconstruction, and minimally invasive surgery using the latest endoscopic and robotic techniques.
Dr. Sturm brings to UNC a tradition of working closely with maternal-fetal medicine and pediatric subspecialists to ensure comprehensive, team-based care for conditions such as antenatal hydronephrosis, lower urinary tract obstruction, neurogenic bladder, and differences in sexual development. Families value her clear communication, thoughtful surgical planning, and commitment to partnering with parents and children from infancy through adolescence.
Dr. Sturm leads a federally funded translational research program focused on bladder and urethral reconstruction. Her laboratory develops highly elastic biomaterials, bioengineered scaffolds, and surgical technologies for dynamic lower urinary tract tissues. By integrating biomechanics, computational modeling, and tissue engineering, her work aims to improve reconstructive outcomes and reduce variability in surgical care. Her research has been supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation and recognized by the American Urological Association.
To expand the impact of these programs, she is also dedicated to surgical education and global engagement. Dr. Sturm and her team have developed innovative 3D educational models used nationally and internationally to teach hypospadias repair and complex reconstruction. She provides teaching and clinical care in Kenya through collaboration with a nonprofit organization, partnering with local surgeons to support pediatric surgical care in under-resourced settings.
Dr. Sturm completed medical school at Baylor College of Medicine, urology residency at the University of California, Davis, pediatric urology fellowship at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Northwestern University, and a Biodesign fellowship at University of California, Los Angeles in medical device innovation.
Specialties
Pediatric Urology
Board Certifications
Urology – Board Certified
Pediatric Urology – Subspecialty Certified
Publications
Education
Fellowship: UCLA Biodesign, University of California Los Angeles
Fellowship: Pediatric Urology, Northwestern Medicine and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital (LCH)
Residency: University of California Davis
MD: Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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