James George, Ph.D., a professor of UAB Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery for over 30 years, has been appointed to the prestigious role of professor emeritus for the UAB Department of Surgery.
During his tenure UAB, George pioneered multidisciplinary medical research and ultimately served as the Vice Chair of Basic Research for the department.
Committed to advancing the field, George held leadership roles at several prestigious entities, including the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, the American Society of Transplant Physicians, and National Institutes of Health study sections.
Throughout his career, George has published more than 150 peer-reviewed manuscripts focused on the basic biology of heart failure, transplant rejection, kidney injury, the development of new pharmaceutical therapies, and clinical outcomes following cardiac surgery and transplantation.
Known for his patient and welcoming demeanor, George has served as a mentor for countless surgeon-scientists and researchers. Many faculty who trained at UAB before beginning their professional tenure reminisce fondly on working in Dr. George's lab and learning from him.
As Vice Chair of Basic Research for the Department of Surgery, George created a platform for collaborative workflow and led a comprehensive audit and Department Research Day to guide the department into its next era of research initiatives.
George began his academic journey with a bachelor’s degree in both biology and history from Wittenberg University. He then earned his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in biology at the University of Cincinnati. He then came to UAB in 1987 as a post-doctoral fellow in the laboratory of Max D. Cooper. At the end of his fellowship, he was promoted to serve as an assistant professor of surgery and microbiology within the institution.
“Dr. George has contributed immense value to the UAB Department of Surgery, and his work has been crucial to the advancement of scientific research in heart transplantation. We are pleased to have him among our professor emeriti and look forward to his continued impact throughout the department’s research efforts, of which he has been a longstanding guide and supporter,” says Fay Fletcher Kerner Endowed Chair of Surgery Herbert Chen, M.D.