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Mei Xia, M.D., Ph.D.

Assistant research professor, Division of Infectious Diseases
Department of Internal Medicine

Education

Postdoctoral Research
Saint Louis University School of Medicine

M.S., Biomedical Informatics
Washington University in St. Louis

Medical School
Southeast University - Nanjing, China

Ph.D.
Southeast University - Nanjing, China

Labs and Facilities

Mei Xia investigates the immune mechanisms driving protective immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) to inform improved TB vaccines. She focuses on whether mucosal vaccination or booster regimens (BCG revaccination or novel vaccines) enhance the magnitude, quality, and durability of T cell responses beyond standard intradermal BCG. 

A central goal is to understand the fundamental mechanisms of non-classical immunity—specifically Vγ9Vδ2 T cell and Th9 cell responses—elicited by mycobacterial infection and BCG vaccination. A key objective is to characterize novel mycobacterial glycolipid (MGLP) antigens and their associated protective pathways. This mechanistic knowledge directly informs the rational design of next-generation TB vaccines and immunotherapies that strategically engage these potent immune arms. 

Key Areas

  • Non-classical T cell profiling: Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, Th9 responses, and MGLP antigen discovery
  • Standard T cell immunity: Polyfunctionality, proliferation, and lung-resident memory T cells (TRM)
  • Vaccination vs. infection: Comparing immunity durability and functional profiles
  • Boosting durability: Assessing whether heterologous boosts reinvigorate waning T cells and establish long-term lung TRM

Early findings suggest mucosal boosting generates durable lung TRM correlating with rapid bacterial control. Current clinical trials test whether these strategies safely elevate protective immunity over conventional BCG. 

Honors and Awards

  • CTVD Annual Meeting Travel Award (2025)
  • 11th International γδT Cell Conference Travel Awards (2025)
  • President's Volunteer Service Award - Silver (2024)
  • Research Leadership Award, Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development (2021)

Professional Organizations and Associations

  • American Association of Immunologists