Saira J. George, M.D.
Department of Dermatology, Division of Internal Medicine
About Dr. Saira J. George
Dr. Saira George earned her Medical Degree with Honors from Baylor College of Medicine, where she also completed her internal medicine internship and dermatology residency. After training, she practiced general dermatology in Houston, Texas and then Phoenix, Arizona before returning back to Texas to join the staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. George is board certified by the American Board of Dermatology. She is also a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, and the American Academy of Dermatology. Her interests include general medical dermatology with a specific focus on early detection and treatment of skin cancers, dermoscopy of pigmented lesions, and skin manifestations of internal disease.
In the News
What is an actinic keratosis? Dermatologist explains common precancerous skin lesion
Is your gel manicure safe?
What to expect when you have a mole removed
What SPF should I use?
Can dark-skinned people get a sunburn?
What happens when you get a sunburn
How does sunscreen work? Understanding UV protection
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Clinical Associate Professor, Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2002 | Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, US, MD |
| 1997 | Rice University, Houston, Texas, US, Biology, BA |
Postgraduate Training
| 2004-2006 | Clinical Residency, Dermatology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
| 2002-2003 | Clinical Residency, Internal Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2012 | Texas State Medical Board |
| 2006 | American Board of Dermatology |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatology, Internal Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, 2015 - 2021
Other Professional Positions
Staff Physician, Dermatology, Thunderbird Internal Medicine, Glendale, AZ, 2010 - 2014
Staff Physician, Dermatology, Dermatological Association of Texas, Houston, TX, 2008 - 2010
Staff Physician, Dermatology, Dermatology Associates of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 2006 - 2008
Medical Student Research Fellow, Basic Science, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, 2001 - 2002
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Member, DoIM Wellness Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - Present
Member, Credentials Committee of the Medical Staff (CCMS), The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - 2025
Member, Data and Biospecimen Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - 2023
Member, Skin Toxicity Group, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2020 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2006 - 2025 | Fellow of The American Academy of Dermatology, The American Academy of Dermatology |
| 1997 - 2002 | Baylor College of Medicine Curriculum Committee Award for Outstanding Performance in the Basic Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine |
| 1997 - 2002 | Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society, Baylor College of Medicine |
| 1994 - 1997 | Rice University Merit Scholar, Rice University |
| 1994 - 1997 | Rice University-Baylor College of Medicine Medical Scholars Program, Rice University |
| 1994 - 1997 | Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society, Rice University |
| 1994 - 1997 | V.H. McNutt Memorial Science Scholar, Rice University |
| 1994 - 1997 | National Merit Scholar, Rice University |
| 1994 - 1997 | Max Roy Honors Scholar, Rice University |
| Top 10% or Top 1% performer, MDACC |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Local Presentations
- 2020. Skin Complications of Cancer Therapy. Invited. MD Anderson. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. "Skin Cancer Detection”. Invited. MDA Sugar Land Dermatology Community CME. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2018. "Drug Rashes 101". Invited. Internal Medicine Residency Noon Conference:. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. "Breast Dermatology". Invited. UTH-MDACC Dermatology Grand Rounds. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. "A Cancer Survivor's Guide to Sun Safety and Skin Cancer". Invited. MyCancerConnection 29th Annual Cancer Survivorship Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. "Drug SCARs (Serious Cutaneous Adverse Reactions)",. Invited. Department of Family Medicine Grand Rounds:. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2017. Drug SCARs (Serious Cutaneous Adverse Reactions). Invited. Internal Medicine and Cancer Survivorship Grand Rounds:. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. "Updates in Melanoma - New Diagnostic Tools". Invited. Interdisciplinary Conference. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2016. Sun Safety and Skin Cancer. Invited. PIKNIC (Partners in Knowledge News in Cancer) Lunch Seminar. Houston, Texas, US.
Regional Presentations
- 2023. Angiosarcoma. Invited. TDS Annual Meeting. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 2019. "General Dermatology: An Approach to Evaluating the Skin" Peer-reviewed conference presentation. Invited. TAPA Annual CME Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
- 2019. Dermatology of the Breast and Nipple. Invited. TDS Annual Meeting. Houston, Texas, US.
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Ibrahim, E, George, SJ, Kundert, PN, Perkins, BH, Curry, JL, Aung, PP. Benign Keratoses With Inverted Follicular Keratosis-Like Features in a Patient Receiving Ripretinib. Journal of cutaneous pathology 53(7):586-589, 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41839173.
- Dao EA, George SJ, Heberton MM, Pacha O, Kovitz CA, Patel AB, Phillips RM. Periorbital edema associated with alpelisib. Cancer Treat Res Commun 32:100596, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35834907.
- Curry JL, Reuben A, Szczepaniak-Sloane R, Ning J, Milton DR, Lee CH, Hudgens C, George S, Torres-Cabala C, Johnson D, Subramanya S, Wargo JA, Mudaliar K, Wistuba II, Prieto VG, Diab A, Cutan Pathol TMJ. Gene expression profiling of lichenoid dermatitis immune-related adverse event from immune checkpoint inhibitors reveals increased CD14+ and CD16+ monocytes driving an innate immune response, 2019. e-Pub 2019.
- Doherty SD, Prieto VG, George S, Hazarika P, Duvic M. High flotillin-2 expression is associated with lymph node metastasis and Breslow depth in melanoma. Melanoma Res 16(5):461-3, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 17013097.
- Doherty SD, George S, Prieto VG, Gershenwald JE, Duvic M. Segmental neurofibromatosis in association with a large congenital nevus and malignant melanoma. Dermatol Online J 12(7):22, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 17459308.
- George SJ, Rivera AM, Hsu S. Disseminated cutaneous nocardiosis mimicking cellulitis and erythema nodosum. Dermatol Online J 12(7):13, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 17459299.
- Lu R, George SJ, Hsu S. Pityriasis rubra pilaris: failure of combination treatment with acitretin and infliximab. Dermatol Online J 12(4):18, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 17083873.
- George SJ, Anderson HL, Hsu S. Adalimumab-induced urticaria. Dermatol Online J 12(2):4, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16638397.
- Berthelot CN, George SJ, Hsu S. Distal lower extremity paresthesia and foot drop developing during adalimumab therapy. J Am Acad Dermatol 53(5 Suppl 1):S260-2, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16227104.
- Chang YC, George SJ, Hsu S. Oral allergy syndrome and contact urticaria to apples. J Am Acad Dermatol 53(4):736-7, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16198809.
- Farnsworth NN, George SJ, Hsu S. Successful use of infliximab following a failed course of etanercept in a pediatric patient. Dermatol Online J 11(3):11, 2005. e-Pub 2005. PMID: 16409907.
- Hazarika P, McCarty MF, Prieto VG, George S, Babu D, Koul D, Bar-Eli M, Duvic M. Up-regulation of Flotillin-2 is associated with melanoma progression and modulates expression of the thrombin receptor protease activated receptor 1. Cancer Res 64(20):7361-9, 2004. e-Pub 2004. PMID: 15492257.
- George SJ, Hsu S. Lichen planopilaris treated with thalidomide. J Am Acad Dermatol 45(6):965-6, 2001. e-Pub 2001. PMID: 11712051.
Review Articles
- Muhaj, FF, George, SJ, Tyring, SK. Bacterial antimicrobial resistance and dermatological ramifications*. British Journal of Dermatology 187(1):12-20, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35083740.
- Muhaj, FF, George, SJ, Nguyen, CD, Tyring, SK. Antimicrobials and resistance part II. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 86(6):1207-1226, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35122895.
- George, SJ, Muhaj, FF, Nguyen, CD, Tyring, SK. Part I Antimicrobial resistance. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 86(6):1189-1204, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35122894.
- Stewart LR, George S, Hamacher KL, Hsu S. Granuloma annulare of the palms. Dermatol Online J 17(5):7, 2011. e-Pub 2011. PMID: 21635829.
- George DE, Lu R, George SJ, Hsu S. Nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy: case report and review. Dermatol Online J 12(3):7, 2006. e-Pub 2006. PMID: 16638421.
- Chen TM, George S, Woodruff CA, Hsu S. Clinical manifestations of varicella-zoster virus infection. Dermatol Clin 20(2):267-82, 2002. e-Pub 2002. PMID: 12120440.
Professional Educational Materials
- George SJ. Pachyonychia Congenita. Emedicine, 2019.
- George SJ. Pachyonychia Congenita. Emedicine, 2019.
- Hsu S, George SJ. Rothmund-Thomsun Syndrome. Emedicine, 2018.
- George SJ. Dermatologic Manifestations of Hematologic Disease. Emedicine, 2017.
Other Articles
- Nowakowska, MK, George, S Dermatology Case Challenge: Colorful Skin Patches on a Man With Fatigue Who Smokes Cigars. Medscape, 2022.
- Dao EA, George SJ, Heberton MM, Pacha O, Kovitz CA, Patel AB, Phillips RM Erratum to "Periorbital edema associated with alpelisib" [Cancer Treatment and Research Communications 32 (2022) 100596]. Cancer Treat Res Commun 33:100654, 2022. PMID: 36463021.
Abstracts
- Ibrahim E, George S, Kundert P, Perkins B, Curry JL, Aung PP. Inverted Follicular Keratosis in a Patient Receiving Ripretinib: A Case Report. American Society of Dermatopathology, 2025.
- Hegazy S, Torres-Cabala CA, George S, Rapini R, He JL, Prieto VG, Aung PP, Curry JL, Cho WC, Nagarajan P. Epithelioid Variant of Solitary Circumscribed Neuroma: New face of an Old Friend. American Society of Dermatopathology 61st Annual Meeting, 2024.
- Rahbar Z, George S, Lawson BC, Torres-Cabala CA, Curry JL, Aung PP, Ivan D, Prieto VG, Nagarajan P. Acantholytic Dermatoses of the Genitocrural Area. American Journal of Dermatopathology 45(8S):S7-S23, 2023.
- Ronen S, Billings SD, McNiff J, Torres-Cabala CA, George SJ, Heberton M, Thomas V, Aung PP, Curry JL, Cho W, Ivan D, Prieto VG, Nagarajan P. . Extramammary Post-Radiation Atypical Vascular Lesions: A Clinicopathologic Study of Eight Cases, 2022. e-Pub 2022.
- Ronen S, Billings SD, McNiff J, Torres-Cabala CA, George SJ, Heberton M, Thomas V, Aung PP, Curry JL, Cho W, Ivan D, Prieto VG, Nagarajan P. Extramammary Post-Radiation Atypical Vascular Lesions: A Clinicopathologic Study of Eight Cases. The American Society of Dermatopathology (ASDP) Annual Meeting, 2022.
- Zimmerman T, Nwannunu C, Tetzlaff M, George S, Curry JL. A Case of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Acquired in Texas. Texas Dermatologic Society Annual Fall Meeting, 2018.
- Tripp M, Rivera Y, Benson D, Bernard C, George S, Ciurea A. Skin cancer health education, screening services and outcomes. CPRIT, Innovations and Cancer Prevention and Research Conference of the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), 2017.
Book Chapters
- George SJ, Swali R. Mechanisms of Nonretroviral Resistance. In: Overcoming Antimicrobial Resistance of the Skin. Springer Nature, p. 57-74, 2021.
Letters to the Editor
- Zimmerman, TJ, George, SJ. Multiple Eruptive Dermatofibromas Associated with down Syndrome. Cutis 110: E21-E23, 2022.
- Orzeck EA, George S. Ovarian dysmetabolic syndrome. Endocr Pract 6: 410, 2000.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified August 20, 2026