Suresh V Kuchipudi

Contributions to Public Health

We study emerging and zoonotic viruses through a One Health lens that links animal, human, and environmental health. We study how zoonotic viruses cross species and adapt by pairing rigorous bench science with computational methods, including AI/ML, multi-omics, and precision public health analytics. We build predictive models and early-warning systems to anticipate outbreaks and guide targeted responses for future public health emergencies. On the translational side, we deliver practical solutions: rapid diagnostics, vaccine development, and AI-guided discovery of new antivirals. My research, teaching, and practice activities align to anticipate infectious disease threats, reduce spillover, build capacity through training, and improve health outcomes locally and globally.

• Receptor biology, host range, and zoonotic risk: I defined how sialic acid receptor distributions across species and tissues shape influenza host range and tropism. I showed influenza compatible receptors in bats and revealed marked neurotropism of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 in cats. These findings refine zoonotic risk assessment and guide targeted surveillance and mitigation at the animal human interface.
  • Chothe SK, Srinivas S, Misra S, Nallipogu NC, Gilbride E, LaBella L, Mukherjee S, Gauthier CH, Pecoraro HL, Webb BT, Pipas JM, Ramasamy S, Kuchipudi SV. Marked neurotropism and potential adaptation of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4.b virus in naturally infected domestic cats. Emerging Microbes & Infections. 2025;14(1):2440498. PMC11654043.
  • Chothe SK, Bhushan G, Nissly RH, Yeh YT, Brown J, Turner G, Fisher J, Sewall BJ, Reeder DM, Terrones M, Jayarao BM, Kuchipudi SV. Avian and human influenza virus compatible sialic acid receptors in little brown bats. Scientific Reports. 2017 Apr 6;7(1):660. PMC5429623.
• SARS CoV 2 in white tailed deer and interspecies transmission: I documented widespread natural infection and multiple human to deer spillovers with onward deer to deer transmission, including Omicron in free living herds on Staten Island. Using statewide sampling in Iowa, we provided early evidence of sustained infection in wild white-tailed deer. This work informs surveillance priorities and biosafety policy for wildlife and human interfaces.
  • Kuchipudi SV, Surendran Nair M, Ruden RM, et al. Multiple spillovers from humans and onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in white tailed deer. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA. 2022;119(6):e2121644119. PMC8833191.
  • Vandegrift KJ, Yon M, Surendran Nair M, Gontu A, Ramasamy S, Amirthalingam S, Neerukonda S, Nissly RH, Chothe SK, Jakka P, LaBella L, Levine N, Rodriguez S, Chen C, Sheersh Boorla V, Stuber T, Boulanger JR, Kotschwar N, Aucoin SG, Simon R, Toal KL, Olsen RJ, Davis JJ, Bold D, Gaudreault NN, Dinali Perera K, Kim Y, Chang KO, Maranas CD, Richt JA, Musser JM, Hudson PJ, Kapur V, Kuchipudi SV. SARS-CoV-2 Omicron infection of wild white tailed deer in New York City. Viruses. 2022 Dec 12;14(12):2770. PMC9785669.
• Computational tools for emerging viruses: evolution, adaptation, and receptor binding: I develop and apply generalizable computational tools to track viral evolution, quantify host adaptation, and predict receptor binding changes that signal interspecies transmission risk. These methods integrate sequence, structure, and phylogenomics to flag high-risk variants and hosts and to guide surveillance and control strategies for public health.
  • Chen C, Boorla VS, Banerjee D, Chowdhury R, Cavener VS, Nissly RH, Gontu A, Boyle NR, Vandegrift K, Nair MS, Kuchipudi SV, Maranas CD. Computational prediction of the effect of amino acid changes on the binding affinity between SARS-CoV-2 spike RBD and human ACE2. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2021;118(42):e2106480118. PMC8594574.
  • Limaye S, Lohar T, Dube H, Ramasamy S, Kale M, Kulkarni-Kale U, Kuchipudi SV. Rapid evolution leads to extensive genetic diversification of cattle flu influenza D virus. Commun Biol. 2024 Oct 7;7(1):1276. doi:10.1038/s42003-024-06954-4. PMC11458855.
• Novel vaccines for evolving pathogens: I advanced novel vaccine platforms for evolving coronaviruses. I developed trans amplifying mRNA vaccines that elicit broad neutralization across variants, and a multi antigen adenoviral vector vaccine that enhances cellular and humoral responses with scalable manufacturing. These platforms support rapid updates against emerging threats and inform vaccination strategies for pandemic preparedness.
  • Alhashimi M, Sayedahmed EE, Elkashif A, Chothe SK, Wang WC, Murala MST, Gairola V, Wakamatsu N, Gontu A, Ramasamy S, LaBella L, Jakka P, Nair MS, Nissly RH, Kuchipudi SV, Mittal SK. A multi antigen-based SARS CoV 2 vaccine provides higher immune responses and protection against SARS CoV 2 variants. NPJ Vaccines. 2025 Jul 19;10(1):159. PMC12276352.
  • Gontu A, Misra S, Chothe SK, Ramasamy S, Jakka P, Byukusenge M, LaBella LC, Nair MS, Jayarao BM, Archetti M, Nissly RH, Kuchipudi SV. Trans amplifying mRNA vaccine expressing consensus spike elicits broad neutralization of SARS CoV 2 variants. NPJ Vaccines. 2025 Jun 3;10(1):110. PMC12134344.
• Rapid diagnostics for One Health surveillance: I developed rapid diagnostics from portable nucleic acid tests to targeted real time PCR. RT LAMP coupled solid state nanopores enables fast detection of SARS CoV 2, while a probe-based PCR assay identifies virulent Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus in clinical samples. These tools shorten time to decision and improve control of outbreaks in animal and human health.
  • Tang Z, Nouri R, Dong M, Yang J, Greene W, Zhu Y, Yon M, Nair MS, Kuchipudi SV, Guan W. Rapid detection of novel coronavirus SARS CoV 2 by RT LAMP coupled solid state nanopores. Biosens Bioelectron. 2022 Feb 1;197:113759. PMC8560184.
  • Kuchipudi SV, Surendran Nair M, Yon M, Gontu A, Nissly RH, Barry R, Greenawalt D, Pierre T, Li L, Thirumalapura N, Tewari D, Jayarao B. A novel real time PCR assay for the rapid detection of virulent Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus an emerging pathogen of swine. Front Vet Sci. 2021;8:604675. PMC7907462.