معرفی
Frank Heinrich serves as an Associate Research Professor in the Department of Physics at Carnegie Mellon University's Mellon College of Science, while maintaining a significant research presence at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Center for Neutron Research in Gaithersburg, Maryland. His dual appointment reflects his interdisciplinary work bridging academic research and national laboratory resources, focusing on advanced biophysical techniques for studying membrane-associated biological processes.
Dr. Heinrich earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Physics from the University of Leipzig, Germany in 2005, followed by postdoctoral research at Johns Hopkins University and Carnegie Mellon University. His academic trajectory shows steady progression from Research Physicist (2008-11) to Assistant Research Professor (2011-16) and finally to his current position as Associate Research Professor (2016-present), while simultaneously maintaining his role as a Staff Scientist at NIST since 2008.
His research centers on the structure of disease-relevant proteins, peptides, and small molecules at lipid membranes, with particular interest in the structural foundations of cell signaling in cancer. Heinrich employs a broad range of surface-sensitive techniques including electrical impedance spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, and neutron reflectometry. His work contributes significantly to developing future-generation neutron scattering instrumentation for soft-matter and biological research, making these advanced techniques accessible to both academic and industrial scientists.
Analysis of his 15 most recent publications reveals a consistent focus on membrane-protein interactions, particularly examining KRAS signaling in cancer, antimicrobial peptides, and membrane-associated processes in neurodegenerative diseases. His work demonstrates sophisticated integration of experimental biophysics with computational approaches, often utilizing neutron scattering techniques to provide structural insights that other methods cannot achieve.
As part of the Lösche/Heinrich Group within the Supramolecular Structures Lab, he collaborates extensively with Mathias Lösche and contributes to the joint UPSM-CMU MBSB graduate program. His research has practical implications for understanding cancer mechanisms, developing new antimicrobial strategies, and advancing biophysical instrumentation.
