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Sarah George, M.D.

Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases, Allergy and Immunology
Department of Internal Medicine

Courses Taught

Lecturer, Infectious Diseases Fellowship didactic sessions and boot camp; Lecturer, Internal Medicine Residency noon conference; Former lecturer, MHR and IPT courses for medical students

Education

Fellowship
Infectious diseases, University of Iowa

Residency
Internal medicine, University of Michigan

Medical School
University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

B.A.
Carleton College

Research Interests

Sarah George's lab evaluates adaptive immunity to multiple candidate vaccines including the dengue, Zika, COVID-19 and others. George evaluates T cell (proliferation and effector function) and B cell (serum antibody and memory B cell) responses. Variables evaluated include effect of prior exposure to Zika on vaccine responses and effect of obesity on durability of T cell responses to COVID vaccination and infection. In dengue, George's lab is evaluating durability of immunity in vaccinated flavi-naives in comparison with immunity after infection. Her lab has found that vaccination induces more durable T cell responses which persist for 10 years while durable T cell immunity after infection is much less common. For Zika, George's lab is comparing type and strength of T cell immunity after vaccination in flavi-naives vs. zika exposed. For COVID19 vaccination, her lab is comparing durability of serum antibody and T cell responses after vaccination based on BMI and other metabolic factors. Immunity after many vaccinations has been shown to decline more rapidly in obese vs. non-obese people, but there is less data on type and durability of T cell responses. 

Labs and Facilities

  • Lab 853, Edward A. Doisy Research Center

Publications and Media Placements

George has over 50 publications and has given numerous local and regional interviews on vaccines and infectious diseases.

Honors and Awards

  • VA St. Louis Research Service Lifetime Achievement Award (2026)
  • VA Merit Review Award (3-time recipient)
  • VA Investigator of the Year, St. Louis VA Medical Center (2023)
  • Co-chair, VA Infectious A study section and standing panel member

Professional Organizations and Associations

  • Infectious Diseases Society of America
  • Infectious Diseases Society of St. Louis
  • American Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

Community Work and Service

  • Volunteer, St. Louis Symphony
  • Member, North American Butterfly Association, St. Louis Chapter