Sarah M Kezar, MS, DVM, DACLAM
Department of Comparative Medicine, Division of Discovery Science
Present Title & Affiliation
Primary Appointment
Primary Clinical Veterinarian, Squirrel and Owl Monkey Research Resources, Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas
Assistant Professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX
Clinical Veterinarian, Preclinical Studies Program, Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Assistant Professor, Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Research Interests
I participate in collaborative research with internal and external investigators. Since joining KCCMR in 2021, I have focused a collaborative project with Sara Sawyer, PhD at UC Boulder to develop an owl monkey model of HIV-1 infection. In our first study, we demonstrated that owl monkeys can be infected with an NL-43 strain of HIV-1. More recently, we have worked on a subcontract from the Simian Vaccine Evaluation Unit to test the efficacy of the broadly neutralizing antibody 3BNC117 to protect owl monkeys from infection with NL-43. We are working on development of a transmitted-founder strain of HIV-1 in our ongoing work with Dr. Sawyer's laboratory. I also work with investigators at KCCMR as the study veterinarian supporting projects focused on cognition, memory, aging, and development of amyloid plaques in the squirrel monkey model. I am passionate about providing excellent medical care to our research animals to support the collection of optimal data.
Clinical Interests
My clinical interests include identification and management of common illnesses in the Aotus spp. and Saimiri spp. populations living at the Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research. I utilize existing clinical and necropsy records to identify common diseases, and I use this information to assist in my clinical and management decisions for colony animals. I collaborate with the pathology team to identify unique conditions identified in our animals and publish case reports or case series to add to the existing literature. I also focus on promoting the health and efficiency of the breeding colonies by selecting appropriate breeding stock and adjusting husbandry and care practices to promote healthy offspring.
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 2019 | Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, US, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine |
| 2014 | University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, US, Biomedical Engineering, Master of Science |
| 2010 | University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, US, Biomedical Engineering, Bachelor of Science |
Postgraduate Training
| 2019-2021 | Clinical Residency, Laboratory Animal Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana |
Licenses & Certifications
| 2022 | Diplomate, American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine |
| 2022 | USDA Accreditation |
| 2021 | Texas Veterinary License |
| 2019 | Georgia Veterinary License |
Experience & Service
Intramural Institutional Committee Activities
Department Representative, Faculty Wellness Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2026 - Present
Member, Faculty Search Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2024
Member, Faculty Search Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2024 - 2024
Member, Veterinary Education and Training, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - Present
Member, Faculty Search Committee, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2023 - 2023
Committee Chair, Public Education & Training, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 2022 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2021 | Post-doctoral Trainee Travel Grant, Association of Primate Veterinarians |
| 2018 | P.E.O. Scholar Award, Auburn University |
| 2018 | Ida Gardiner and Louis Oberst Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Auburn University |
| 2017 | William E and Bertha Carroll Endowed Scholarship, Auburn University |
| 2016 | Salsbury Endowed Scholarship, Auburn University |
| 2016 | Phi Kappa Phi Outstanding First Professional Year Award, Auburn University |
| 2008 | Margaret McTyeire Krebs Scholarship, University of Virginia |
| 2007 | Sherrie Winokur Bladen Memorial Scholarship, University of Virginia |
Professional Memberships
Selected Presentations & Talks
Regional Presentations
- 2026. Neotropical Primates as Animal Research Models: Developing the Owl Monkey Model of HIV-1. Invited. TAMU VMRSTP Tour. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2026. New Approach Methodologies and the Role of Animal Models. Invited. Blinn Veterinary Technologist Program Visit. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2026. The importance of animals in biomedical research. Invited. DVMS Discover Student Visit. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2025. Animal Research - Why is it still needed and how is it done?. Invited. Blinn Veterinary Technologist Program Visit. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2025. Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine Tour. Invited. Blinn Veterinary Technologist Program Visit. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2025. Development of the Owl Monkey Model of HIV-1. Invited. Texas A&M Veterinary Pathology Tour. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2025. Animal Model Development: Developing the Owl Monkey Model of HIV-1. Invited. Texas A&M VMSRTP Tour. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2025. Animal Research - Why is it still needed and how is it done?. Invited. DVMS Discover Summer Student Visit. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2025. Animal Model Development: Developing the Owl Monkey Model of HIV-1. Invited. DVMS Discover Summer Student Visit. Bastrop, Texas, US.
- 2021. Diazepam Improves Pair Introductions of Adult Male Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). Conference. Diazepam Improves Pair Introductions of Adult Male Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta), US.
- 2021. Diazepam improves pair introductions of adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Conference. Diazepam improves pair introductions of adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Covington, LA, US.
- 2020. Diagnosis and Management of Tracheal Trauma in Two Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). Conference. Diagnosis and Management of Tracheal Trauma in Two Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta), US.
- 2020. Diagnosis and Management of Tracheal Trauma in Two Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). Conference. Diagnosis and Management of Tracheal Trauma in Two Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta), US.
- 2020. Diagnosis and Management of Tracheal Trauma in Two Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). Conference. Diagnosis and Management of Tracheal Trauma in Two Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). Covington, LA, US.
- 2019. Becoming a Laboratory Animal Medicine Veterinarian. Conference. Becoming a Laboratory Animal Medicine Veterinarian. Tuscaloosa, AL, US.
- 2018. Multi-disciplinary Management of a Rhesus Macaque with an Ischemic Skin Lesion. Conference. Multi-disciplinary Management of a Rhesus Macaque with an Ischemic Skin Lesion. Auburn, AL, US.
- 2017. Dermal Ischemic Necrosis in an Expanded Specific Pathogen Free Infant Rhesus Macaque. Conference. Dermal Ischemic Necrosis in an Expanded Specific Pathogen Free Infant Rhesus Macaque. Covington, LA, US.
National Presentations
- 2026. Hepatobiliary Disease in Neotropical Primates. Invited. Grand Rounds.
- 2026. Spontaneous Disease Management in Laboratory Animal Medicine. Invited. American Veterinary Medical Association National Meeting. Schaumburg, Illinois, US.
- 2026. New World Nonhuman Primates. Invited. ACLAM Forum. Stevenson, Washington, US.
- 2026. Hepatobiliary Disease in Neotropical Primates: An Emerging or Persistent Health Concern. Invited. ACLAM Forum. Stevenson, Washington, US.
- 2025. Intermittent Biliary Obstruction in an Owl Monkey (Aotus azarae). Poster. AALAS National Meeting. Long Beach, California, US.
- 2025. Clinical Data and Nonhuman Primate Welfare. Invited. ASP Workshop: Primate Behavior and Welfare Assessment. Chicago, Illinois, US.
- 2025. Development of the Owl Monkey Model of HIV-1. Invited. Grand Rounds, US.
- 2025. Monkeying Around: New World Monkeys. Invited. AVMA Convention. Washington DC, US.
- 2024. Preventative Care in Baboons and Neotropical Monkeys. Invited. Association of Primate Veterinarians. Nashville, TN, US.
- 2022. What's that Mass? Clinical presentation and histopathological identification of masses in three neotropical primates. Invited. Grand Rounds, US.
- 2021. Diagnosis and Management of Tracheal Trauma in Two Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). Conference. Diagnosis and Management of Tracheal Trauma in Two Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). Kansas City, MO, US.
- 2021. Effects of diazepam on male rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) social introductions. Conference. Association of Primate Veterinarians. Kansas City, MO, US.
- 2021. Diazepam improves pair introductions of adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). Conference. Diazepam improves pair introductions of adult male rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta), US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2025 - Present |
| Title: | A Squirrel Monkey Breeding and Research Resource |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NCRR |
| Role: | Veterinarian |
| ID: | 2P40OD010938 |
| Date: | 2023 - 2027 |
| Title: | Breaking the Barrier to an HIV Vaccine |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIAID |
| Role: | Subcontract PI |
| ID: | 1DP1AI175471-01 |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Hensel ME, Wilkerson GK, Yan L, Hodo CL, Kezar SM. Spontaneous hepatobiliary disease in a breeding colony of Aotus spp. J Med Primatol, 2026. e-Pub 2026.
- Blomquist, GE, Kezar SM. Developmental Canalization in Squirrel Monkey (Saimiri boliviensis) Body Mass. American Journal of Primatology. e-Pub 2026.
- Kezar SM, Neal SJ, Wilkerson GK. Hematology and Serum Biochemistry Reference Intervals for Captive-Born Owl Monkeys (Aotus nancymae): Effects of Age and Sex. J Med Primatol 55(4), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 42363606.
- Hensel ME, Yan L, Fowlks NW, Hodo CL, Kezar SM. Clinical, gross, and microscopic findings in 7 owl monkeys (Aotus spp) with chronic biliary tree disease. Vet Pathol, 2026. PMID: 42257251.
- Meyerson NR, Bauer VL, Fattor WT, Warren CJ, Barbachano-Guerrero A, Weiss MJ, Dirasantha O, Burris BL, Adesina AS, Timpona JL, Feldman ER, Fahy RT, Gendler P, Fainberg A, Nehete PN, Shelton KA, Galvan A, Tustin GW, Koehle PJ, Salinas MD, Davila O, Lindemann EI, Clark SE, Garnett ML, DeMarco CT, Scianna SR, Denny TN, Kuhn JH, Aye PP, Veazey RS, Kezar SM, Wilkerson GK, Sawyer SL. CXCR4-tropic HIV-1 infection in an immunocompetent monkey model. Nat Commun 17(1), 2026. e-Pub 2026. PMID: 41803134.
- Faccin M, Kezar SM. Multiple congenital pulmonary malformations in a black-capped Bolivian squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis). J Comp Pathol 222:3-7, 2025. e-Pub 2025. PMID: 40834784.
- Kezar, S, Fowlkes, NW, Hensel, ME. Nerve sheath tumor in the forearm of a common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). J Med Primatol 53(1), 2024. e-Pub 2024. PMID: 37340582.
- Pons-Faudoa FP, Di Trani N, Capuani S, Hernandez N, Wood AM, Nehete B, Niles J, Shelton KA, Kezar S, Bushman LR, Chua CYX, Ittmann MM, Anderson PL, Nehete PN, Arduino RC, Nichols JE, Grattoni A. Changes in local tissue microenvironment in response to subcutaneous long-acting delivery of tenofovir alafenamide in rats and non-human primates. J Control Release 358:116-127, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37120032.
- Paez-Mayorga J, Campa-Carranza JN, Capuani S, Hernandez N, Liu HC, Chua CYX, Pons-Faudoa FP, Malgir G, Alvarez B, Niles JA, Argueta LB, Shelton KA, Kezar S, Nehete PN, Berman DM, Willman MA, Li XC, Ricordi C, Nichols JE, Gaber AO, Kenyon NS, Grattoni A. Implantable niche with local immunosuppression for islet allotransplantation achieves type 1 diabetes reversal in rats. Nat Commun 13(1):7951, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 36572684.
- Kezar SM, Baker KC, Russell-Lodrigue KE, Bohm RP. Single-dose Diazepam Administration Improves Pairing Success of Unfamiliar Adult Male Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 61(2):173-180, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35148813.
- Kezar S, Shroyer M, Doyle-Meyers L, Gilbert M, Russell-Lodrigue K. Tracheal trauma in rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta). J Med Primatol 51(1):45-48, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 34693542.
- Kezar SM, Baker KC, Russell-Lodrigue KE, Bohm RP. Single-dose Diazepam Administration Improves Pairing Success of Unfamiliar Adult Male Rhesus Macaques (Macaca mulatta). J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci 61(2):173-180, 2022. e-Pub 2022. PMID: 35148813.
Other Articles
- Faccin, M, Kezar, S Corrigendum to ‘Multiple congenital pulmonary malformations in a black-capped Bolivian squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis)’ [J Comp Pathol, 222 (2025) 3–7, (S0021997525002816), (10.1016/j.jcpa.2025.08.001)]. Journal of Comparative Pathology 225:4, 2026. PMID: 41671680.
Abstracts
- Meyerson, NR, Bauer, VL, Fattor, WT, Warren, CJ, Dirasantha, O, Barbachano-Guerrero, A, Timpona, JL, Feldman, ER, Fahy, RT, Burris, BL, Weiss, MJ, Kezar SM, Wilkerson, GK, Sawyer, SL. An owl monkey model of HIV-1 infection. Retroviruses.
- Barbachano-Guerrero, A, Weiss, MJ, Galvan, A, Bauer, VL, Davila, O, Salinas, MD, Koehle, PJ, Clark, SE, Jacobs, CA, Lindemann, EI, Garnett, ML, Williams, LD, Tomaras, GD, DeMarco, CT, Scianna, SR, Shen, X, Nehete, PN, Shelton, KA, Denny, TN, Aye, PP, Veazey, RS, Kezar, SM, Wilkerson, GK, Sawyer, SL. A single dose of monoclonal antibody delays HIV-1 infection in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae). 42nd Annual Symposium on Nonhuman Primate Models for AIDS.
- Wilkerson, GK, Hensel, ME, Hodo, CL, Kezar SM, Faccin, M, Dysart, SE, Royal, JB, Wise, SN, Piatt, EA, Weiss, MJ, Galvan, A, Sawyer, SL. Viral reservoirs in the owl monkey (Aotus nancymaae) model of HIV-1 infection. 42nd Annual Symposium on Nonhuman Primate Models for AIDS.
Book Chapters
- Wachtman, LM, Kezar SM, Makaron, L, Burns, M, Magden, ER. New World Nonhuman Primates. In: Laboratory Animal Medicine. fourth. Elsevier, 2026.
- Fitz C, Kezar SM, Johnson R. New World Monkey Anesthesia and Analgesia. In: Manual of Nonhuman Primate Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Postoperative Care. CRC Press, 102-114, 2026.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified September 14, 2026