is a distinguished virologist, molecular biologist, and educator whose research has significantly advanced the understanding of herpesviruses, viral pathogenesis, and cancer immunotherapy. He earned his BS degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1975, followed by an MS in 1977 and a PhD in 1981 from Pennsylvania State University. 

His primary scientific focus has been the molecular biology and pathogenesis of herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and bovine herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1). His work investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate viral attachment, penetration, intracellular transport, membrane fusion, and cell-to-cell spread. Using advanced molecular biology, genetics, and cell biology techniques, his laboratory has engineered and characterized mutant herpesviruses to better understand the role of viral proteins in infection and virion assembly. 

Professor Kousoulas has also made major contributions to translational virology and cancer therapy through the development of viral vectors for cancer immunotherapy and vaccine applications. His laboratory has generated oncolytic recombinant herpes simplex virus vectors targeting breast cancer and melanoma and has explored virus-like particles for drug delivery. In addition, his group has developed viral-vectored vaccines against HSV, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and malaria, several of which have been evaluated in animal models. Beyond virology, his research interests include SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein biology, next-generation sequencing for infectious disease diagnostics, bioinformatics, and computational biology. He is also widely recognized for his dedication to interdisciplinary teaching in molecular biology, virology, immunology, genetics, and biotechnology.

Throughout his career, Professor Kousoulas has received numerous honors for both research and teaching excellence, including the LSU Distinguished Faculty Award and election as Fellow of the American Academy of Inventors in 2020