Nicholas T. Funderburg, PhD

Division of Medical Laboratory Science

 

535E Atwell Hall
453 W. 10th Ave.
Columbus OH 43210

Phone: (614) 366-7667
Email: nicholas.funderburg@osumc.edu

• Immunology
• Infectious Diseases
• HIV-1
• COVID-19
• Cardiovascular Disease

Research Focus

Dr. Funderburg’s research focuses on understanding the immunologic and inflammatory consequences of chronic infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). As antiretroviral therapy (ART) is becoming more effective and available, the lifespans of people with HIV (PWH) are increasing, but have not reached the expected lifespans of people without HIV (PWoH). His research explores the consequences of chronic HIV infection, a pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulant state driven by several potential mediators, including low level HIV replication, gut dysbiosis/microbial translocation, pro-inflammatory lipids, and long-term exposure to ART. People living with HIV are at approximately 2-fold greater risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to the risk in demographically similar PWoH. Dr. Funderburg’s work explores the basic immunologic mechanisms behind this increased CVD risk in PWH, while concurrently providing insights into the development of CVD in the general population. Dr. Funderburg has also served as protocol immunologist on several national and international clinical trials aimed at reducing chronic inflammation in PWH. Recently, the scope of his research lab has expanded to include exploring the immune response to SARS CoV-2 and mechanisms related to Long COVID. Based on his extensive publication history, track record of grant funding, and service as an expert scientific reviewer for funding agencies in the U.S. and several other countries, Dr. Funderburg is a nationally and internationally recognized expert in the field of inflammatory consequences of ART-treated HIV infection and has a growing reputation related to the role of the immune system in contributing to age-related comorbidities (e.g., cardiovascular disease, metabolic disease, frailty) across the lifespan in people with and without HIV. 

Recent Research

Funderburg NT, Ross Eckard A, Wu Q, Sattar A, Ailstock K, Cummings M, Labbato D, McComsey GA. The Effects of Semaglutide on Inflammation and Immune Activation in HIV-associated Lipohypertrophy. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2025 Apr;12(4):ofaf152. doi: 10.1093/ofid/ofaf152. eCollection 2025 Apr. PubMed PMID: 40160348; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11950536.

 

Dirajlal-Fargo S, Nikahd M, Ailstock K, Manubolu M, Musiime V, Kityo C, McComsey GA, Funderburg NT. Changes in the Lipidome Are Associated With Immune Activation and Subclinical Vascular Disease in Youth With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Uganda. J Infect Dis. 2025 Feb 20;231(2):403-413. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiae461. PubMed PMID: 39331511; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11841650.

 

Atieh O, Daher J, Durieux JC, Abboud M, Labbato D, Baissary J, Koberssy Z, Ailstock K, Cummings M, Funderburg NT, McComsey GA. Vitamins K2 and D3 Improve Long COVID, Fungal Translocation, and Inflammation: Randomized Controlled Trial. Nutrients. 2025 Jan 16;17(2). doi: 10.3390/nu17020304. PubMed PMID: 39861434; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11767688.

 

Funderburg NT, Shive CL, Chen Z, Tatsuoka C, Bowman ER, Longenecker CT, McComsey GA, Clagett BM, Dorazio D, Freeman ML, Sieg SF, Moisi D, Anthony DD, Jacobson JM, Stein SL, Calabrese LH, Landay A, Flexner C, Crawford KW, Capparelli EV, Rodriguez B, Lederman MM. Interleukin 6 Blockade With Tocilizumab Diminishes Indices of Inflammation That Are Linked to Mortality in Treated Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection. Clin Infect Dis. 2023 Jul 26;77(2):272-279. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciad199. PubMed PMID: 37011013; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10371305.

 

Bowman ER, Cameron CM, Richardson B, Kulkarni M, Gabriel J, Cichon MJ, Riedl KM, Mustafa Y, Cartwright M, Snyder B, Raman SV, Zidar DA, Koletar SL, Playford MP, Mehta NN, Sieg SF, Freeman ML, Lederman MM, Cameron MJ, Funderburg NT. Macrophage maturation from blood monocytes is altered in people with HIV, and is linked to serum lipid profiles and activation indices: A model for studying atherogenic mechanisms. PLoS Pathog. 2020 Oct;16(10):e1008869. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008869. eCollection 2020 Oct. PubMed PMID: 33002093; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7553323