Sankar Swaminathan

Dr. Sankar Swaminathan is a Professor of Internal Medicine and Adjunct Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Utah, where he also serves as the Chief of Infectious Diseases. His research program focuses on human cancer-causing herpesviruses, specifically Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), with NIH R01 funding sustained for over 25 years.

He holds an A.B. from Harvard College and an M.D. from Emory University.

Dr. Swaminathan's research explores three primary areas:

• Molecular interactions between herpesviruses (EBV/KSHV) and host cells, particularly how viral RNA-binding proteins target mRNAs to modulate gene expression.
• Role of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) in antiviral defense, studied both in vitro and in immunocompromised patients.
• Mechanisms by which host DNA-binding factors (CTCF/cohesin) restrict viral replication through topological interference.

A fourth initiative involves antiviral drug discovery, leveraging high-throughput screening to identify compounds (e.g., spironolactone) that target herpesviral SM proteins.

His publications emphasize virology, molecular mechanisms of herpesvirus replication, host-pathogen interactions, and therapeutic development. Recent work includes SARS-CoV-2/EBV co-infection studies and antiviral compound validation.

No awards or student advisees are documented in the provided materials.