Steven J. Lawrence, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Dr. Lawrence completed medical school at Washington University School of Medicine in 1997 and internal medicine internship and residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in 2000. He then completed an infectious diseases fellowship at Washington University School of Medicine and received a Masters of Science degree in Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2004. His research interests focus on the human immune response to viral infections and vaccines, and the epidemiology of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD). Current research projects include collaborative work with Dr. Sharon Frey and Dr. Robert Belshe at Saint Louis University’s Center for Vaccine Development evaluating the immune response to various smallpox vaccines. Recent studies have characterized the antibody responses following standard smallpox vaccination to unique vaccinia virus outer membrane proteins that are being evaluated as components of protein and DNA subunit vaccines. Current studies will provide similar evaluations of more highly attenuated vaccine candidates to provide a comparison of antibody responses to standard vaccination. Other ongoing work will also describe the kinetics of specific antibody responses to aid in determining longevity of immunity imparted by standard smallpox vaccination. Completed CDAD research projects include a large epidemiologic study examining the impact of CDAD on outcomes and costs in intensive care unit patients, with an emphasis on evaluating colonization pressure as a risk factor for acquisition, and both retrospective and prospective studies to evaluate the effectiveness and efficacy of Lactobacillus-containing probiotics.

Biographical Sketch

Link to Medline for selected publications

Office Location:
Washington University School of Medicine
Northwest Tower
Suite 1500A
4990 Children's Place
St. Louis, MO 63110

Telephone: (314) 454-8225
Fax: (314) 454-5392
Email: slawrenc@dom.wustl.edu