James Morgan Cunningham

James Morgan Cunningham is an Associate Professor of Medicine (Microbiology and Molecular Genetics) at Brigham and Women's Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. His research focuses on viral entry mechanisms, particularly for Ebola and Lassa viruses, with a focus on developing antiviral therapies and understanding host-pathogen interactions. He has held part-time academic roles since at least 2024, as noted in his most recent publications.

Research Interests: Dr. Cunningham's work spans viral pathogenesis, antiviral drug discovery, and the structural biology of viral glycoproteins. He has made significant contributions to understanding how cholesterol metabolism and cellular receptors (like LAMP1) influence viral entry. His research also explores the biochemical basis of Ebola glycoprotein activity during outbreaks and the development of small molecule inhibitors targeting enveloped viruses.

Grants & Collaborations: He has secured NIH funding for projects like the New England Regional Center of Excellence in Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases (2003-2015) and studies on small molecule inhibitors for viral entry (2014-2019). Notable collaborations include work with Sean Whelan on Ebola virus entry and Dennis Kasper on biodefense strategies.

Publications: His work spans over three decades, with key contributions to understanding Ebola virus glycoprotein proteolysis (Science, 2005), Lassa fever virus cholesterol dependency (2018), and co-authorships with leaders in virology like Kartik Chandran and Kartik Chandran. Recent studies (2024) explore NAD metabolome changes in severe COVID-19 cases.