Project Description

Nevada Center for Biomedical Research, ME/CFS, MECFS, ME CFS, myalgic encephalomyelitis, ME, CFS, Fibromyalgia, MS, Autism, GWI, NVCBR

Research Director, NVCBR

Vincent C. Lombardi, PhD, began his work in ME/CFS in 1992, characterizing T-cell populations in ME/CFS patients, in collaboration with Dr. Daniel Peterson. He later continued his ME/CFS research in the laboratory of Dr. Robert Suhadolnik at Temple University, studying the interferon-regulated RNase L antiviral pathway and its involvement in ME/CFS. Dr. Lombardi completed his graduate degree at the University of Nevada, Reno, receiving his PhD in biochemistry in 2005. The primary focus of his PhD thesis was the isolation and characterization of novel diuretic neuropeptides. In addition to his academic research, Dr. Lombardi has also developed specialty clinical diagnostic tools in collaboration with eminent ME/CFS physicians such as Dr. Kenny De Meirleir. These diagnostic tests have helped ME/CFS physicians identify and treat areas of deficiency.

Upon joining NVCBR in July 2007, Dr. Lombardi’s research efforts focused on the inflammatory component of ME/CFS with a special emphasis on the interferon response.

As the leader of NVCBR’s research team, Dr. Lombardi continues to focus his research efforts in neuro-immune diseases and the innate immune system, including potential pathogens, with a focus on the innate immune response in the interferon system.

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Arts in Science with an emphasis in Biology, Sierra Nevada College, Incline Village, Nevada, May 1995 magna cum laude
  • Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, PhD candidate July 1998 – December 1998
  • University of Nevada, Reno, NV, PhD Biochemistry Spring 2000 – 2006
  • Special Training: Mathematical Modeling; Molecular Modeling; Biostatistics; Analytical Chemistry; Organic Spectroscopy; Protein Purification: Assay Development, HPLC method development 

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

  • Business Finance
  • Virology/Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Diagnostics
  • Project Management
  • Molecular Biology
  • MSDS and Safety Officer
  • Protein Chemistry

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

2011 – present Director of Research, Nevada Center for Biomedical Research, Reno, NV
2011 – 2015 Director of Operations, Unevx Clinical Laboratory, Reno, NV
2010 – 2011 Director of Basic Research, Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease, Reno, NV, Research Focus: Interferon Response in ME/CFS
2006 – present Assistant Clinical Professor of Microbiology & Immunology, Assistant Clinical Professor of Pathology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
2007 – 2010 Postdoctoral Fellow, Whittemore Peterson Institute for Neuro-Immune Disease, Reno, NV, Research focus: Cytokine and Chemokine Response in ME/CFS
2004 – 2009 Director of Operations, Lead Scientist for Product Development, Redlabs, USA, Reno, NV
2001 – 2005 Graduate Student, Doctoral Candidate, University of Nevada, Reno NV (David Schooley, PI)
1999 – 2000 Graduate Student, Doctoral Candidate, Temple University Philidelphia, PA (Robert Suhadolnik, PI)
1992 – 1999 President, Casa Bella Holdings, Inc., Investment Banker, Crystal Bay NV
1983 – 1992 Executive Vice President, Securities Trader, Securities Broker, General Principle, Options and Futures Principle, Commodities Principle, Managed 37 Securities Brokers (Series 3, 4, 7, 24 and 63 Securities Licenses) JP Michael Securities, Burbank, CA, Osborne Securities, Los Angeles, CA, Toluca Pacific Securities, Crystal Bay, NV

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • Eli Lilly Poster Award – Protein Society Meeting
  • Salutatorian, Sierra Nevada College 1995
  • Outstanding Science Student of Graduating Class 1995
  • General Motors Liberal Arts Excellent Awards Program 1993
  • CRC Academic Award 1994

MEMBERSHIPS IN PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

2008 – Present International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research

PATENTS AND INVENTIONS

  1. Lombardi, Vincent C, Schooley, David A: Method for selective conjugation of analytes to enzymes without unwanted enzyme-enzyme cross-linking. University And Community College System Of May, 30 2003: WO 2003/043978

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

  1. Robert J. Suhadolnik†, Vincent Lombardi, Daniel L. Peterson, Suzanne Welsch, Paul R. Cheney, Elizabeth G. Furr, Susan E. Horvath, Ramamurthy Charubala, Nancy L. Reichenbach, Wolfgang Pfleiderer and Karen O’brien. Biochemical Dysregulation of the 2-5A Synthetase/RNase L Antiviral Defense Pathway in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome  1999, Vol. 5, No. 3-4 , Pages 223-242
  2. Lombardi VC, Schooley DA. A method for selective conjugation of an analyte to enzymes without unwanted enzyme-enzyme cross-linking.  Anal Biochem. 2004 Aug 1;331(1):40-5.  PMID: 15245995 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
  3. Te Brugge VA, Lombardi VC, Schooley DA, Orchard I. Presence and activity of a Dippu-DH31-like peptide in the blood-feeding bug, Rhodnius prolixus.    2005 Jan;26(1):29-42. Erratum in: Peptides. 2005 Jul;26(7):1283.  PMID: 15626502 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]
  4. Khaiboullina SF, Rizvanov AA, Lombardi VC, Morzunov SP, Reis HJ, Palotás A, St Jeor S. Andes-virus-induced cytokine storm is partially suppressed by ribavirin.  Antivir Ther. 2013 Jan 8. doi: 10.3851/IMP2524. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 23300158 [PubMed – as supplied by publisher]
  5. Lombardi VC, Hagen KS, Hunter KW, Diamond JW, Smith-Gagen J, Yang W, Mikovits JA. Xenotropic murine leukemia virus-related virus-associated chronic fatigue syndrome reveals a distinct inflammatory signature.  In Vivo. 2011 May-Jun;25(3):307-14.  PMID: 21576403 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE]

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

  • CD-4/CD-8 Rations in Chronic Fatigue and AIDS Patients, American Mathematical Society Conference (Invited Speaker), University of Oregon, 1993
  • Cytokine and Chemokine Signatures in CFS Patients, AAFCF Annual Conference (Invited Speaker), Reno, NV, 2007