Edward A. Freeman

Interests

Using environmental pollutants, termed endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), students working in the Freeman lab focus their studies on various aspects of animal developmental biology including ovarian follicle maturation, primordial germ cell migration, and larval swimming behaviors following embryonic EDC exposures in the zebrafish. In addition, we have recently begun using the fruit fly to study the impact of EDCs on larval fat body formation. These studies are aimed at providing a more detailed understanding of the role of EDCs on animal biology from widely used developmental biology models.

Teaching

• BIOL 108 - Fundamentals of Nutrition
• BIOL 152 - General Biology II
• BIOL 320 - Advanced Human Anatomy
• BIOL 320L - Advanced Human Anatomy Laboratory
• BIOL 422 - Biopharmacology
• BIOL 425 - Endocrinology

Research

Dr. Freeman’s research focuses on determining the impact of Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and diet on various aspects of animal biology. EDCs are prominent in the environment as herbicides, pesticides, plasticizers, heavy metals, and numerous other agents. These compounds have been shown to negatively impact wildlife, laboratory animals, and human populations. The impact of diet is no less meaningful in animals. Recent work has clearly demonstrated a link between sugar and fat content in the diet and the potential to develop numerous chronic conditions such as obesity, type II diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease.

• Project 1: This line of experimentation has been developed to evaluate the impact of bisphenol (EDCs, plasticizers) exposure during fruit fly development. Specifically, larvae are grown in food containing various concentrations of bisphenols and then evaluated for fat content through a larval buoyancy assay. From these studies, we have shown that multiple bisphenols negatively impact fruit fly biology and clearly impact the rates at which the larval fly adds fat to the fat body.
• Project 2: This line of experimentation has been developed to evaluate the impact of diet (high sugar or high fat) during fruit fly development. Specifically, larvae are grown in food containing various concentrations of sugar or fat that are in excess of control diets. These flies are then evaluated for glucose levels as well as various aspects of reproductive function. Our goal is to evaluate the flies for potential nutritional impacts on epigenetic change through transgenerational studies of type II diabetes mellitus.

Publications and Grants

• Wyman-Potter Foundation (Buffalo, NY), $23,250 to support hourly pay and supply money for three undergraduate research students during the 2024 - 2025 academic year.
• Wyman-Potter Foundation (Buffalo, NY), $10,000 to support stipend and supply money for three undergraduate research students during the summer of 2020.
• The Endocrine Society, $4,000 to support stipend and supply money for one undergraduate research student (Endocrine Society Summer Research Fellow) during the summer of 2019.
• National Science Foundation Noyce grant entitled “Inspire Noyce Scholars to Practice in Rural Environments (INSPIRE).” Co-Principal investigator with Drs. Hildenbrand, Wischnowski, and Gauvin (FLCC faculty member); Dr. Martinez-Hernandez is the PI. 1.4 million award.
• Freeman, E. Obesity - An Epidemic with Unexpected Causes, Consequences, and Complexity. QUBES Educational Resources, 2020.
• Theodosiou, N., Choi, C. and Freeman E. Professional societies can play a vital role in career development. Developmental Biology, 2020, 459, pp. 5 - 8.
• Freeman, E., Theodosiou, N., Anderson, W. From bench to board-side: Academic teaching careers. Developmental Biology, 2020, 459, pp. 43 - 48.
• Conner*, M. and Freeman, E. Using zebrafish (Danio rerio) to study the behavioral impacts of early bisphenol F exposure reveals decreased swim speed, increased distance between fish, and increased freezing behaviors. BIOS, 2020, 91(1), pp. 21-30.
• Babich*, B., Roba*, G., Safura*, S., Callahan, K., and Freeman, E. Transcription of nanos-1 in Zebrafish Embryos is Not Affected by Bisphenol A: Evaluated Using Quantitative Real-Time PCR. American Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2019, 16(1), pp. 15 - 21.
• Safura*, S., Roba*, G. and Freeman, E. Evaluating the effects of bisphenols F and S with respect to bisphenol A on primordial germ cell migration in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos using immunofluorescence microscopy. The American Journal of Undergraduate Research, 2019, 16(3), pp. 69 - 77.
• D’Angelo*, J. and Freeman, E. Effects of endocrine-disrupting chemical exposure on zebrafish ovarian follicles. BIOS, 2017, 88.1, pp. 9-18.
• Freeman, E., Jeffries, B., and Cardin, M. Integrating career exploration and planning in STEM through faculty partnerships. NACE Journal, 2014, pp. 29-34.
• Freeman, E. The design and implementation of an effective career orientation course for undergraduate majors. College Teaching, 2012, 60:4, pp. 154-163.
• Valentino, L. and Freeman, E. Career center, faculty, alumni build mock interview program together: A collaboration between career center and faculty yields benefits for all. NACE Journal, 2010, pp. 29-32.
• Freeman, E. and Lynd-Balta, E. Developing information literacy skills early in an undergraduate curriculum. College Teaching, 2010, 58:3, pp. 109-115.
• Johnson, M., Freeman, E., Gardner, D., and Hunt, P. Oxidative metabolism of pyruvate is required for meiotic maturation of oocytes in-vivo. Biology of Reproduction, 2007, Vol. 77 (1), pp. 2-8.
• Susiarjo, M., Hassold, T., Freeman, E., and Hunt, P. Bisphenol A exposure in-utero disrupts early oogenesis in the mouse. PLoS Genet, 2007, Vol. 3(1):e5.
• Freeman, E., Jani, P., and Millette, C. Expression and potential function of Rho family small G proteins in cells of the mammalian seminiferous epithelium. Cell Communication and Adhesion, 2002, Vol. 9(4), 189-204.