Michael A. Frohman

Michael A. Frohman is a Professor and Chair in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences at Stony Brook University. He directs the Medical Scientist Training Program and holds fellowships with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the Association of American Physicians (AAP). His research focuses on lipid signaling pathways, particularly the Phospholipase D (PLD) family and PI4P Kinase, which regulate mitochondrial dynamics, exocytosis, and disease mechanisms in diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders (Charcot-Marie Tooth syndrome), and immune dysfunction. Alumni from his lab hold faculty positions globally, and he pioneered the 5’ RACE technique during his postdoctoral work at UCSF.

• Education:
  • M.D., Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
  • B.S. with Distinction, University of Michigan
• Research Themes:
  • Lipid signaling in mitochondrial fusion/fission
  • Regulation of exocytosis and endocytosis
  • PLD inhibitors as stroke/cancer therapeutics
  • Neurodegenerative disease mechanisms
  • Diabetes and metabolic signaling
• Scientific Leadership:
  • Cloned mammalian PLD isoforms
  • Developed mouse models for PLD knockout
  • Coined the 5’ RACE method
• Notable Awards:
  • Fellow, AAAS
  • Member, AAP