Vishwanath Venketaraman, PhD
Professor of Microbiology/Immunology
College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific
Join year: January 2008
Ph.D., Immunology, National Institute for Research on Tuberculosis
M.S., Biology, University of Madras
B.S., Biology, University of Madras
Presentations and Invited Lectures
Invited Speaker:
- November 2008:University ofLaverne
- June2009:CollegeofPharmacy,WesternUniversity ofHealthSciences
- November 2009:Researchday,WesternUniversity ofHealthSciences
- May 2010:SouthernCaliforniaAcademy ofSciences,CalState-LA
- September 2010:EPSInternational Global InfectiousDiseases Conference, Shanghai,China
- October 2010:AmericanOsteopathic AssociationConference,SanFrancisco, CA
- May 2011:SouthernCaliforniaAcademy ofSciences,CalState-LA
- September 2011:JointScienceDepartmentClaremontMcKenna,Pitzer andScripps College
- September 2012:WesternUniversity ofHealthSciences organizedby theCOMPseminar series.
- September 2013: National Institute for Research on Tuberculosis, Chennai, INDIA
- April 2014: Invited Speaker for the Global Health/Public Health Awareness week, Western University of Health Sciences
- June 2014: Invited Speaker, Dermatology Interest Group, Western University of Health Sciences
- June 2014: Distinguished speaker at the Oxidative stress reduction, redox homeostasis and antioxidants symposium, Paris, France
- June 2014: Chaired a scientific session at the Oxidative stress reduction, redox homeostasis and antioxidants symposium, Paris, France
- May 2017: Invited speaker at the Workshop on “Tuberculosis Meningitis: Advancing Immunopathogenesis, Diagnosis and Treatment” Organized by the NIH held in Maryland from May 22nd -May 23nd 2017.Title of the talk: Glutathione as an immunoadjuvant
- August 2017: Invited speaker at an event “Surviving & Thriving: AIDS, Politics and Culture-an event hosted by the Pumerantz Library, Western University of Health Sciences, CA. Title of the presentation “Restoring the immune responses in HIV."
- February 2018: Plenary Speaker at the Pomona Health Career Ladder (attendees were mostly residents of Pomona held on Saturday at our campus). Title of the presentation “Infectious diseases."
- June 2018:Invited speaker at the Pharmaceutical Sciences Section of the AAAS-Pacific Division symposia held on June 13th. Title of my talk: “Adjunctive therapy for tuberculosis”.
- August 2018:Invited speaker at the School of Pharmacy. Chapman University on August 29th
- Title of my talk: “Improving the host immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection”.
- January 2020:Invited speaker at the Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont Colleges on January 10th. Title of my talk: “Host-directed therapies for tuberculosis”.
- May 2020: Invited Keynote Webinar speaker at the American College, India at the International Virtual conference on “Immune boosting for COVID-19” held on May 21st. Title of my talk “COVID-19 Pandemic: Pathogenesis of the disease”.
- June 2020: Invited Guest Speaker for” Online Basic Course in Infectious Diseases” at Madurai Kamaraj University, India
- July 2020: Invited Keynote Speaker for International Webinar Series on” Recent Trends in Life Sciences” at GTN College, India. Title of my talk “Host Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis”.
- February 2021: Invited Guest speaker at the research rounds of College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences. Title of my talk “Host Directed Therapies for Tuberculosis”.
- November 2022: Invited Speaker at Pathogens-ECON2022. Title of my talk “Glutathione modulates the host immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis”.
- December 2023: Invited speaker at the first international electronic conference on vaccines. Title of my talk “Glutathione improves the host immune responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.”
- July 2024: Invited speaker at the eight international diabetes experts consortium held in Pune, India. Title of my talk “The role of glutathione in improving the host immune responses in diabetes.”
- September 2024: Invited Speaker at the RePORT India Basic Science Working Group Meeting. Title of my talk “Host Directed Therapy for Tuberculosis”
- January 2026: Invited speaker at the webinar on Biology-Vision and the immune system. Title of my talk “Trachoma and Eales disease-infection, host immune responses and pathogenesis”
- February 2026: Invited speaker at the MycoTube Conference 2026, 3rd International Virtual Conference on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Research and Drug Development February 02-03, 2026. Title of my talk “Adjunctive therapy for mycobacterial diseases”
- April 2026: Invited keynote speaker at the EIPH 2026, 1st International conference on Emerging Infections and Public Health April 27th-28th, 2026. Title of my talk “Adjunctive therapy for mycobacterial diseases”
Professor, COMP, WesternU, Pomona CA, 2018-present
Associate Professor, COMP &GCBS, Pomona, CA, 2013-2018
Assistant Professor, COMP, WesternU Pomona, CA, 2009-2013
Assistant Professor, Western University of Health Sciences, COMP, Pomona, CA, 2008-2009
Assistant Professor, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, 2003-2007
Adjunct Professor, Touro College, City University of New York, 2007
Adjunct Professor, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mawah, NJ, 2003
Dr. Venketaraman is a tenured Full Professor and Discipline Lead for the Microbiology/Immunology Division at the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University of Health Sciences, California, USA. Dr. Venketaraman teaches infectious diseases, microbiology, and immunology across multiple curricular blocks for graduate students enrolled in the DO, DPM, and OD programs.
Diseases caused by mycobacteria remain a major global health burden. My laboratory was among the first to demonstrate that glutathione (GSH) possesses both direct antimycobacterial and immune-enhancing properties and is essential for the control of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. We reported that intracellular GSH levels are significantly compromised in macrophages, NK cells, and T cells derived from individuals with HIV infection. Reduced GSH levels in these individuals were associated with impaired control of intracellular mycobacterial infections.
We subsequently demonstrated that the expression of key enzymes involved in GSH synthesis, including glutathione synthase (GSS), γ-glutamyl cysteinyl ligase (GCLC), and glutathione reductase (GSR), was significantly reduced in individuals with HIV infection, correlating with diminished intracellular GSH levels.
Our laboratory completed two clinical trials in HIV-positive individuals demonstrating the efficacy of liposomal glutathione (L-GSH) in restoring redox homeostasis and improving immune cell function. Findings from these clinical trials (Ly et al., 2015; Valdivia et al., 2017) showed that decreased GSH levels contribute to dysregulation of TH1- and TH2-associated cytokine production. Importantly, supplementation with L-GSH for 13 weeks resulted in a significant increase in TH1 cytokines, including IL-12, IL-2, and IFN-γ, along with a marked reduction in free radicals and immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-10 and TGF-β, compared with placebo-treated controls.
Collectively, our studies established a strong correlation between GSH deficiency and increased susceptibility to mycobacterial infections through a TH2-skewed immune response, which can be reversed by L-GSH supplementation through enhancement of TH1-mediated immunity.
To date, I have published 182 peer-reviewed papers, including research articles, reviews, and book chapters. I have also maintained a long-standing collaboration (17 years) with Your Energy Systems, a company that manufactures liposomal glutathione (L-GSH).
PRINICIPAL INVESTIGATOR ON EXTRAMURAL GRANTS
- NIH (NHLBI), (PI).Glutathione depletion in the CNS and its effects on M. tb infection. $429,000. 00 (04/2024 to 03/2027).
- NIH (NHLBI), (PI). Glutathione depletion in lung parenchyma and its effects on Mtb infection. $423,000.00 (04/2019 to 03/2023).
- Your Energy System, Palo Alto, CA. (PI) Preclinical and clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of liposomal and other formulation of glutathione. $775,000.00. 12/2009-till date
- Auro Pharmaceuticals, Alhambra, CA. (PI) Topicalglutathione formulation absorption studies. $45,000.00. 12/2021-12/2022
- NIH-SBIR, (PI), New technology for enhancing oral absorption of water-soluble drugs-application to streptomycin. $37,999., 9-2010 to 9-2011
- Potts Memorial Foundation (PI).Natural killer cells and innate defense againstMycobacteriumtuberculosisinfection.$30,000.00 (5/1/2008-10/09/2009)
- TheFoundationofUMDNJ andtheDean’s Biomedical ResearchSupportProgram
- (PI).Glutathione and tuberculosis immunity.$50,000.00 (7/1/2004-6/30/2005)
- American Heart Association-Scientist Development Grant (PI). Role of glutathione and compounds in tuberculosis immunity. $198,000.00 (7/1/2003-6/30/2006)
CO-PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR IN EXTRAMURAL GRANTS
- BSC Holdings (Investigators: Drs. Baudry, Bi and Venketaraman). Testing C60 derivates in various animal models. $169,726.00 (7/1/2022-6/30/2024)
- Potts Memorial Foundation (Investigators: Drs Tiwari and Venketaraman).Amphipathic Macrocyclic Peptide against Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria..$10,000.00 (12/20/2020-03/19/2022)
- Surro-Immune (Investigators: Drs. Collisson, Venketaraman and Drechsler).EffectsofCAEVinfectiononmacrophageandTlymphocyte function. $61,755.00 (7/1/2010-6/30/2013)
INTRAMURAL FUNDING
- Western University of Health Sciences (PIs VishwanathVenketaraman, Marcel Fraix and David Neiman). Effects of heavy exertion in enhancing the susceptibility to M. tb infection.$10,000 ( 09-2015-09-2016)
- Western University of Health Sciences (PIs VishwanathVenketaraman and Manal Swairjo).Role of host cell tRNA modification in HIV-1 infectivity.$5,000 ( 01-2014-01-2015)
- Western University of Health Sciences, Charles Drew University collaborative grant program (PI Beatrice Saviola). tPMP-1activity againstM.tuberculosis.$15,000 ( 01-2014-01-2015)
- Western University of Health Sciences (PI VishwanathVenketaraman).Start-up package.$150,000 ( 01-2008-01-2015)
- Western University of Health Sciences (PIs Andrew Pumerantz, Jeffrey Wang, Guru Betageri and VishwanathVenketaraman).Studies on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Novel Liposomal VancomycinFormulations.$22,000 ( 07-2009-07-2010)
AWARDS
- Leadership Excellence Award 2025 from the WesternU Board of Trustees. In recognition of exemplary leadership that inspires and guides others by vision, integrity, and steadfast commitment to excellence.
- Provost Certificate of Recognition for Precepting and Mentoring over 400 COMP students in research that led to publications from 2020-2023
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific- Dean’s Award for Faculty Excellence by Student Proclamation-2019
- Provost’s Distinguished Scholar Award from Western University of Health Sciences-2019
- Best Professor Award-2019(voted by the Master’s students [MSMS program] from the class of 2019. Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences)
- Personal and Professional Goal Achievement Award-2017 (voted by COMP faculty)
- OutstandingBasicMedicalScienceFacultyAward-2017(voted by the medical students from the DO program [California Campus-class of 2019] of Western University of Health Sciences)
- Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching and Education-College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific- 2017
- Distinguished Teacher Award from Western University of Health Sciences-2017
- Marquis Who’s Who-Lifetime Achievement Award-2017
- Best Professor Award-2016(voted by the Masters students [MSMS program] from the class of 2016. Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences, Western University of Health Sciences)
- Lifelong Learning Research Award-2016 (voted by COMP faculty)
- OutstandingBasicMedicalScienceFacultyAward-2016(voted by the medical students from the DO program [California Campus-class of 2018] of Western University of Health Sciences)
- Lifelong Learning Research Award-2015 (voted by COMP faculty)
- OutstandingBasicMedicalScienceFacultyAward-2015(voted by the medical students from the DO program [Oregon Campus-class of 2017] of Western University of Health Sciences)
- OutstandingBasicMedicalScienceFacultyAward-2015(voted by the medical students from the DO program [California Campus-class of 2017] of Western University of Health Sciences)
- OutstandingFacultyAward-2014(voted by the graduate students from the MSMS program, Graduate College of Biomedical Sciences-class of 2014, Western University of Health Sciences)
- OutstandingBasicMedicalScienceFacultyAward-2014(voted by the medical students from the DO program [Oregon Campus-class of 2016] of Western University of Health Sciences)
- OutstandingBasicMedicalScienceFacultyAward-2013(voted by the medical students from the DO program [California Campus-class of 2015] of Western University of Health Sciences)
HONORS:
- NIH Reviewer-Lung Immunology and Infection Study Section-April 2025
- NIH Reviewer-National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Special Emphasis Panel ZNS1 SRB-A (10)-April 2025
- NIH Reviewer-Lung Immunology and Infection Study Section-June 2025
- NIH Reviewer-Fellowships: Infectious Disease and Immunology ZRG1 F07A-M (20)-2024
- NIH Reviewer-International Research in Infectious Diseases (R01)ZAI1 RD-W (J1) 2-2024
- NIH Reviewer-Special emphasis panel ZAI1 JBS-M (C1)-2023
- NIH Reviewer- P01 grant renewal ZAG1 ZIJ-4 (M3)-2022
- NIHReviewer-AIDS Specialemphasispanel ZRG1-IDIB-N (02)-2021
- NIHReviewer-U19 Specialemphasispanel ZAI1-LR-M (J1)-2020
- NIHReviewer-R01 Specialemphasispanel ZRG1 IDM-T (50)-2018, 2019
- NIHReviewer-R01 Specialemphasispanel ZAI1-LR-M (M2)]-2017
- NIHReviewer-R21/R33 SpecialemphasispanelZAI1-LR-M-(S)1)-2016
- NIHReviewer-R21/R33 Specialemphasispanel ZAI1-LR-M (J1)-2015
- NIHReviewer-R21/R33 SpecialemphasispanelZAI1-LR-M-M1)-2015
- NIHReviewer-R21/R33 SpecialemphasispanelZAI1 LG-M (S2)-2014
- NIHReviewer-R21/R33 SpecialemphasispanelZAI1 LG-M (S1)-2013
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
Dr. Venketaraman has published more than 180 papers. Recent publications are listed below:
- Marriam Anjum,Mariam Habbak,Farah Mawlawi,Aemen Siddiqui,Vishwanath Venketaraman.Glutathione Depletion in Major Depressive Disorder and Its Impact on Tuberculosis Immunity.Discovery Medicine. 2026, 38(207): 975-986https://doi.org/10.24976/Discov.Med.202638207.79(corresponding author).
- Yu V, Zhong V, Sharma E, Vartanian KB, Nasiri MJ, Venketaraman V. The Role of Glutathione Insufficiency in Immune Dysfunction and Increased Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Type 2 Diabetes. Curr Top Med Chem. 2026 May 4. doi: 10.2174/0115680266395033251019091517 (corresponding author).
- Liu Y, Khatchadourian C, Sanders L, Eweroke Q, Warner-McCutcheon C, Lewis J, Santos J, Venketaraman V. Systematic Review: The Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination on Myocarditis Risk and Recovery.Clinics and Practice. 2026; 16(4):77. https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract16040077(corresponding author).
- Chorbajian A, Glassman I, Swarna A, Mareboina M, Chen P-E, Abu-Khazneh J, Tan J, Dayal S, Yazdan K, Urness B, Venketaraman V. Autoimmune Diseases and Mycobacterial Infection.Diseases. 2026; 14(3):99. https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases14030099(corresponding author).
- Au S, Cruz WD, Lala M, Karthikeyan S, Venketaraman V. The Evolution of Symbiosis inStaphylococcus epidermidis: From a Protective Mutualist to a Parasitic Pathogen.Biomolecules. 2026; 16(2):334. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom16020334(corresponding author).
- Dang MT, Lukas K, Choi DH, Chu TJ, Venketaraman V. Diagnostic Imaging of Extrapulmonary Tuberculosis Across Organ Systems.Diagnostics. 2026; 16(4):586. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16040586(corresponding author).
- Au S, Saini S, Cruz WD, Venketaraman V. Measles: An Updated Literature Review of the Host Response, Pathogenesis, Complications, Prevention Measures, and Recent Outbreaks.Current Issues in Molecular Biology. 2026; 48(2):206. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48020206(corresponding author).
- Dawi J, Affa S, Au S, Misakyan Y, Gonzalez E, Chorbajian A, Hammi M, Dave P, Qumsieh K, Venketaraman V. Efficacy and Safety of Glutathione Supplementation in Patients with HIV Infection and HIV-Tuberculosis Co-Infection.Nutrients. 2026; 18(4):571. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18040571(corresponding author).
- Dawi J, Affa S, Misakyan Y, Gonzalez E, Affa S, Venketaraman V. Glutathione-Mediated Redox Regulation of Immune Dysfunction in COVID-19 and Tuberculosis.Antioxidants. 2026; 15(2):214.https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox15020214(corresponding author).
- Mashiach D, Shon J, Mashiach R, Ayzenberg G, Barazani O, Aabedi A, Venketaraman V. Pediatric Tuberculosis: Unraveling Immunity, Clinical Complexities, and Resource-Driven Disparities in the Pursuit of Prevention.Vaccines. 2026; 14(2):119. https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines14020119(corresponding author).
- Knudsen E, Tadje J, Coggins C and Venketaraman V. Glutathione and neurodegenerative diseases: immunopharmacological implications. Front. Pharmacol. 2026. 16:1737199. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2025.1737199(corresponding author).
- Dawi J, Misakyan Y, Gonzalez E, Kafaja K, Affa S, Tumanyan K, Qumsieh K, Venketaraman V. ECM Remodeling in Direct Inguinal Hernia: The Role of Aging, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidants Defenses.Clinics and Practice. 2025; 15(12):219.https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract15120219(corresponding author).
- Lukas K, Nguyen J, Necas C, Dave K, Venketaraman V. Targeting the NF-κB Pathway in Cancer: Mechanisms, Resistance, and Therapeutic Potential Across Tumor Types.Pharmaceuticals. 2025;18(11):1764. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18111764 (corresponding author).
- Sasaninia, K., Era, I. H., Newman, N., Melendez, J., Akif, W., Sharma, E., Nikjeh, O., Glassman, I., Jiménez, C., Sharma, N., Xu, A., Lambros, M., Zhou, M., Tiwari, R., & Venketaraman, V. Additive Effects ofN-Acetylcysteine and [R4W4] Combination Treatment onMycobacterium avium.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025;26(21), 10361. (corresponding author).
- Nikjeh O, Rejali S, Sasaninia K, Venketaraman V.Overcoming Treatment Challenges in HIV-Associated Mycobacterial Diseases: New Therapeutic Frontiers.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(21):10325.https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262110325(corresponding author).
- Yoon, S.; Sasaninia, K.; Era, I.H.; Dhama, S.; Mohan, A.S.; Patel, A.; Nguyen, L.; Karapetyan, A.; Sy, C.; Yedgarian, N.; Newman, N; Bi, X; Baudry, M; Yang, PR, Venketaraman V. Fullerene Gallium Phosphonate Shows Antimycobacterial Effect Against Mycobacterium avium. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 9998. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/ijms26209998 (corresponding author).
- Lukas K, Dang MT, Necas C, Venketaraman V. Anti-TB Drugs for Drug-Sensitive and Drug-ResistantMycobacterium tuberculosis: A Review.Current Issues in Molecular Biology. 2025; 47(9):776. https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47090776(corresponding author).
- Cruz WD, Fernau E, Venketaraman V. Pathogenesis of Cutaneous Mycobacterial Infections—M. marinumandM. leprae.International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(18):8897. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26188897. (corresponding author).
- Kumar P, Cameron J, Saviola B, Venketaraman V.MycobacteriummarinumImmune Evasion in Zebrafish.Pathogens. 2025; 14(9):908.https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14090908(corresponding author).
- Yedgarian, N., Agopian, J., Flaig, B., Hajjar, F., Karapetyan, A., Murthy, K., Patrikyan, A., Tomas, K., Tumanyan, K., Nasiri, M. J., Subbian, S., & Venketaraman, V. The Intricate Process of Calcification in Granuloma Formation and the Complications FollowingM. tuberculosisInfection.Biomolecules. 2025; 15(7), 1036. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15071036(corresponding author).
- Navasardyan I, Miwalian R, Golnazarian N, Deshpande I, Venketaraman V. In Vitro and In Vivo Models Studying Haemophilus influenzae. Methods Mol Biol. 2025;2950:51-60. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4674-8_4. PMID: 40622527.(corresponding author).
- Venketaraman V, Hajjar K, Sheren N. E. coli Meningitis. Methods Mol Biol. 2025;2950:27-33. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4674-8_2. PMID: 40622525 (corresponding author)
- Afazel, S; Nasiri, M; Venketaraman V. Anti-TB treatment outcomes in TB meningitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis. New Microbes and New Infection. 2025. 67. 101623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmni.2025.101623(corresponding author).
For complete list of publications, please visit : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/vishwanath.venketaraman.2/bibliography/public/