He studied sociology at the National University of San Marcos, where he earned both a bachelor's and a master's degree.

In the 1980 Peruvian general election, Dammert ran for Congress as a member of the Revolutionary Communist Party.

Dammert returned to politics in 2011, when he ran for Congress as part of the Peru Wins party, but failed to be elected.

When Congressman Javier Diez Canseco died on 4 May 2013, he was replaced by Dammert for the remainder of the term.

In December 2017, the New Peru party was founded, led by Verónika Mendoza and joined by Dammert.