Thomas Frielle

Dr. Thomas Frielle is an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Shippensburg University's Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, within the College of Arts & Sciences. His research focuses on identifying human cell membrane cAMP receptors, particularly the orphan GPCR GP133, and its structural and functional similarities to Dictyostelium discoideum GPCRs. He has advised numerous graduate and undergraduate students in biochemistry and pharmacology.

• Education: PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Postdoctoral Fellowship in Molecular Pharmacology at Duke University (Howard Hughes Medical Institute).
• Teaching: Developed chemistry courses for undergraduate students and contributed to science curriculum design for K-12 education.
• Outreach: Co-Director of Ship's Chemistry Camp for elementary students and consultant for the Cumberland County Forensic Lab's Toxicology Section.

His research integrates molecular biology, pharmacology, and cell biology to understand GPCR signaling pathways, with implications for drug development. Over 15 peer-reviewed publications and student collaborations highlight his contributions to GPCR function, cAMP signaling, and enzyme mechanisms.

Scientific awards: None explicitly listed.

Advising and grants: Supervised students now in academia, medicine, and industry. Research has been supported through collaborations and institutional funding.

Labs/teams: Active in biochemistry labs at Shippensburg, focusing on GPCR cloning, expression, and functional assays.