Andrews Research Group

Investigation of human B cell biology to infection and vaccination.

Photo of B Cell Immunobiology Section Research Group Members.

B Cell Immunobiology Section, 2025: left to right: Geoffrey Shimberg, Biologist; Grace Mantus, Postdoctoral Fellow; Kyle Gordon, Postbaccalaureate Fellow; Gray Freeman, Postbaccalaureate Fellow; Alexandra Abu-Shmais, Postdoctoral Fellow; Rory Malek, Postbaccalaureate Fellow; Brigette Boast, Postdoctoral Fellow; Sarah Andrews, PI; Abby Shimberg, Bioinformatics Scientist

Credit: NIAID

Sarah F. Andrews, Ph.D.

Chief, B Cell Immunobiology Section 
Earl Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator

Education:

Ph.D., 2008, University of Washington

Dr. Sarah Andrews obtained a Ph.D. in immunology in 2008 at the University of Washington under Dr. David Rawlings. Her Ph.D. work focused on immune tolerance mechanisms and cell signaling pathways controlling B cell fate during B cell development. In 2009 she joined the laboratory of Dr. Patrick Wilson at the University of Chicago as a postdoctoral fellow to study human B cell response to...

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Headshot of Sarah F. Andrews

Alexandra A. Abu-Shmais, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Vanderbilt University

B.S., Vanderbilt University

Dr. Abu-Shmais’s research interests lie at the interface of immunology and virology and how a greater understanding of this relationship can advance human health. Currently, her research is focused on the characterization and development of pre-clinical antibody candidates in response to highly pathogenic H5N1 Influenza.

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Brigette Boast, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Australian National University, Canberra, Australia

Dr. Brigette Boast has a special interest in understanding the complex roles B cells play in the immune response and is currently studying the effects of vaccination on B cell function and differentiation. She has previously worked on genetic defects of B cell dysfunction with a special focus on B cell development.

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Grace E. Mantus, Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Fellow

Education:

Ph.D., Emory University

Dr. Grace E. Mantus focuses on the characterization of the human B cell responses to influenza vaccines. Her current work includes tracking vaccine-elicited B cells over time within both the peripheral and tissue compartments as well as exploring how the influenza-specific B cell repertoire is first established through early-in-life vaccination.

Learn more about Grace E. Mantus, Ph.D.

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