Shanmuga S. Mahalingam received his MSc and PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Mysore, India, under the supervision of Prof. K. S. Girish. His doctoral research focused on plant-derived bioactive molecules for the treatment of adjuvant-induced arthritis and its associated complications, particularly oxidative stress. He also contributed to collaborative research projects investigating snake venom pharmacology and bioactive molecule- and metabolite-induced platelet apoptosis. He subsequently completed his postdoctoral training in Prof. Subramani’s laboratory at the University of California, San Diego, USA, where he investigated novel proteins involved in pre-peroxisomal vesicle formation during de novo peroxisome biogenesis, with an emphasis on cell and molecular biology. He is currently a Senior Research Associate in the Department of Biological Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, at Case Western Reserve University, USA. His current research focuses on the mechanisms underlying regulatory T-cell dysfunction in chronic infection and cancer, with particular interests in immunometabolism, mucosal immunity, host–microbiome interactions, and neuroinflammation. His work aims to elucidate how metabolic pathways and local tissue environments shape immune-cell function and contribute to disease progression, with the broader goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets for immune dysregulation.