Brett Froelich

Brett Froelich serves as an Assistant Professor in the Biology Department at George Mason University, where his research focuses on human pathogenic bacteria in coastal ecosystems, particularly Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus that cause severe infections through shellfish consumption or wound exposure.

His educational background includes:

• PhD in Biology and Microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2012)

Dr. Froelich investigates the ecological and physiological mechanisms enabling Vibrio pathogens to infect humans, with emphasis on bacterial interactions with shellfish hosts, environmental drivers of pathogen proliferation (including climate change impacts), and development of mitigation strategies. His interdisciplinary work bridges microbial physiology, environmental science, and public health through integrated field studies in coastal habitats and controlled laboratory experiments.

He leads the Froelich Lab dedicated to understanding pathogen transmission dynamics and developing interventions to reduce infections, while teaching advanced Microbiology courses that connect theoretical concepts to real-world food safety challenges.