Fregly, Melvin J.

Physiologist, educator. Melvin J. Fregly was born in Patton, Pennsylvania, on May 26, 1925. He received his Ph.D. in Physiology in 1952 from the University of Rochester in New York. In 1956 he was appointed Assistant Professor of Physiology at the University of Florida College of Medicine. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1960 and to Professor in 1965. He served as Acting Chair of the Department of Physiology for one academic year (1964-1965), and from 1967 until 1971 he served as Assistant Dean for Graduation Education at the College of Medicine.

His primary area of research was the endocrinological and nutritional aspects of hypertension (high blood pressure), body temperature regulation, behavior, and fluid and electrolyte balance. His studies involved catecholamines, oral contraceptives, tryptophan, salt preference and appetite, thirst and drinking, altitude, cold-induced hypertension, the adrenal gland, and the hormones aldosterone and angiotensin II. Dr. Fregly died in 1996.

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