معرفی
Michael Cianfrocco is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan, holding dual roles in the Department of Biological Chemistry (Medical School) and the Life Sciences Institute. His research focuses on structural biology and microtubule-based transport, leveraging cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM), single-molecule methods, and computational tools to study motor proteins like kinesin and dynein.
Education:
- B.S. in Biochemistry, Providence College (2007)
- Ph.D. in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley (2012)
- Postdoctoral Fellowships at Harvard Medical School and UC San Diego (2013–2017)
Research Interests: His lab investigates how motor proteins transport cargo in cells, with emphasis on specificity, regulation, and pathogen hijacking. They also develop computational tools like cryoEDU and CryoRL to streamline Cryo-EM workflows. Key areas include viral transport mechanisms, microtubule dynamics, and AI-driven microscopy automation.
Awards:
- 2013 Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Award
- 2017 University of Michigan Biological Sciences Scholar
Advising & Leadership: Director of the Perrigo Undergraduate Summer Fellowship Program. Mentors students in the Life Sciences Institute and collaborates with teams in cellular and molecular biology. Active in graduate programs in Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Biology, and Biophysics.
Labs & Teams: Leads the Cianfrocco Lab, which includes researchers, postdocs (e.g., Andrew Hensley, Lai Wei), and a vibrant graduate cohort. Collaborates with experts in structural biology, computational science, and virology.
