Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies

Lisa C. Freeman, Biography:

Lisa C. Freeman has focused her academic career on bringing people and resources together to solve complex problems. In July 2010, Freeman joined Northern Illinois University (NIU) as the Vice President for Research and Graduate studies, and a Professor of Biology. The Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies is the senior academic officer for research, artistry, and graduate programming. As such, Freeman oversees the operation of the Graduate School, the Office of Research Compliance and Integrity, the Office of Sponsored Projects, the Technology Commercialization Office, and the NIU Press. Freeman also serves as President of the Northern Illinois Research Foundation. In 2011, she was appointed to the Illinois Innovation Council, a diverse group of leaders convened by Governor Quinn to improve support for innovation and align public and private resources. Since joining NIU, Freeman has also been invited to serve on the boards of directors of the Fermi Research Alliance, the Chicago Council on Science and Technology, and the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Partnership, as well as on the executive committees of the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities Council on Research Policy and Graduate Education and the American Council on Education Council of Fellows.

Previously, Freeman spent 16 years at Kansas State University (K-State) where she served as a Principal Investigator on research and training grants, and taught courses in pharmacology and in the responsible conduct of research. At K-State, Freeman served as a research mentor and role model for numerous graduate students and postdoctoral trainees and young faculty members. In 2001, she became the Director of Mentored Training. In 2005, she was promoted to Professor and also became the Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Freeman assumed the position of Associate Vice President for Innovation for the K-State Olathe Innovation Campus in 2008.  

As K-State’s Associate Vice President for Innovation, Freeman was responsible for building public-private partnerships relevant to teaching, research and outreach activities. She served as liaison between the new Olathe campus and the academic units and research centers on the established Manhattan campus. In addition, Freeman worked closely with representatives from industry, economic development agencies and academic institutions to add value to established regional business clusters through the promotion of research collaborations, networking opportunities, and shared legislative priorities.

Freeman has also participated in a number of STEM workforce development initiatives at Northern Illinois and Kansas State Universities. For example, Freeman is currently the co-Project Director of NIU’s Operation E-Tank, a summer undergraduate research experience focused on energy, environment, ethics and economics. At K-State, Freeman was on the leadership team for CORES, the Collaborative for Outreach, Recruitment, and Engagement in STEM. CORES is a K-State initiative designed to encourage women, first generation college students, and members of groups historically underrepresented to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Freeman's research focused the role of ion channels in the development of diseases such as gastrointestinal ulcers and ovarian cancer as well as on strategies for encouraging interdisciplinary interactions. Her work was funded by the American Heart Association, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Freeman has written more than 50 peer-reviewed publications, invited reviews and book chapters. She has been an invited to present research findings and to discuss effective strategies for engaging trainees in STEM research at national and international conferences.

Freeman can be reached via e-mail at lfreeman1@niu.edu.

Freeman earned a bachelor's degree in 1981 and a master's degree and a doctor of veterinary medicine in 1986 from Cornell University. She went on to earn a doctoral degree in pharmacology at The Ohio State University in 1989 while working part-time in veterinary practice. Prior to joining the faculty of K-State University, Freeman worked as a postdoctoral fellow and research scientist at the University of Rochester, School of Medicine. In 2004-05, Freeman was a Fellow of the American Council on Education hosted by the University at Buffalo.