Thomas Prisinzano

Dr. Thomas Prisinzano is a Professor and Chair of Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy, where he directs the Center for Pharmaceutical Research and Innovation (CPRI). His academic career includes roles at the University of Iowa (2003–2007) and University of Kansas (2007–2019). He holds expertise in drug discovery, natural products chemistry, and substance use disorder treatments. Dr. Prisinzano's research focuses on opioid receptor modulation for pain management, addiction therapies, and CNS disorders. He has pioneered studies on kappa opioid receptor agonists for remyelination in multiple sclerosis and novel synthetic opioids for overdose reversal.

Education:

• B.S. in Chemistry, University of Delaware (1995)
• Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University (2000)
• Intramural Training Award Fellow, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (2000–2003)

Research Interests:

• Development of medications for drug abuse and pain
• Structure-activity relationships of opioid receptors
• Kappa-opioid receptor agonists for neuroregeneration
• Mithramycin analogues for Ewing sarcoma treatment

Key Awards:

• 2008: Matt Suffness Young Investigator Award
• 2011: Joseph Cochin Young Investigator Award
• 2012: David W. Robertson Award for Excellence in Medicinal Chemistry
• 2018: Innovator Award (College on Problems of Drug Dependence)

Advising & Grants:

• Directs CPRI with a focus on interdisciplinary drug discovery
• Active grants include NIH-funded studies on opioid overdose countermeasures and Ewing sarcoma therapies

Labs & Teams:

• Prisinzano Lab: Investigates opioid pharmacology and novel drug candidates
• Collaborations with neurology and oncology departments for translational research