Theodoros Kelesidis

Dr. Theodoros Kelesidis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center, specializing in the Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine. He completed his medical degree at the University of Athens, followed by residency training at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston and a fellowship at UCLA, where he earned a PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, as well as an MSc in Clinical and Translational Research. His research focuses on understanding the interplay between oxidative stress, inflammation, and viral infections (e.g., HIV and SARS-CoV-2) in driving cardiometabolic complications and end-organ diseases. He integrates basic and translational research to develop novel therapeutic interventions. Dr. Kelesidis is internationally recognized for his work on HIV and cardiometabolic syndrome, holding numerous research awards.

Research Interests: His lab investigates mechanisms linking viral infections to cardiovascular disease through oxidative stress and inflammation. Key areas include HIV pathogenesis, SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis, and the role of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) dysfunction in chronic infections. He also studies the effects of e-cigarette use and traditional smoking on immune and cardiovascular health.

Professional Contributions: Dr. Kelesidis has authored over 150 publications in peer-reviewed journals, focusing on translational research bridging virology, immunology, and cardiology. His work has advanced understanding of HIV-associated comorbidities and strategies to mitigate SARS-CoV-2-related complications. He is actively involved in clinical trials exploring novel therapeutic agents such as mitoquinone mesylate and ApoA-I mimetic peptides.

Lab Activities: His laboratory utilizes preclinical models and human cell cultures to study viral-host interactions, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory pathways. Collaborations span virology, endocrinology, and cardiovascular medicine, with a focus on developing biomarkers and therapies for chronic infectious diseases.