David A. Freedman PhD
David A. Freedman
PhD
Instructor
Department of Pathology and Anatomical Sciences
Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences
Specialty/Research Focus
Anatomic Pathology; Education; Neurobiology
Professional Summary:
I am a gross anatomist having received formal training in teaching and learning of anatomical sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo. My doctoral research focused on understanding how brain oligodendrocytes are affected by oxidative stress throughout development and in adulthood using mouse and human cerebral organoid models. The overall hypothesis was, oligodendrocytes are damaged by oxidative stress but their precursor cells have significant regenerative capacity which may be augmented through stimulation of mitochondrial function.
Currently, my professional interest and focus has been teaching anatomical science at both the undergraduate and graduate level in the courses below:
PAS500- Medical Gross Anatomy
PAS500D- Dental Gross Anatomy
PAS427- Undergraduate Pre-health Gross Anatomy
PAS527- Graduate Pre-health Gross Anatomy
PAS407- PT/OT Gross Anatomy
IMC606- Medical Neuroscience (Co-Course Director)
PAS411- Undergraduate Neuroanatomy (Co-Course Director)
PAS511- Graduate Neuroanatomy (Co-Course Director)
Education and Training:
- PhD, State University at Buffalo (2019)
- BS, Exercise Science, State University at Buffalo (2012)
Employment:
- Instructor, Pathology and Anatomical Sciences, University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (2019-present)
- Assistant Professor, Biology and Mathematics, D'Youville College (2019)
Awards and Honors:
- Siegel Award for Excellence in Teaching, Honorable Mention; Teaching in the Preclinical Program (2024)
- Siegel Award for Excellence in Teaching, Teaching in the Preclinical Program (2023)
- Siegel Award for Excellence in Teaching, Teaching in the Preclinical Program (2022)
- Siegel Award for Excellence in Teaching, Honorable Mention; Teaching in the Preclinical Program (2021)
- Moments of Excellence in Education: Recognition and Inspiration (MEE:RI) (2021)
Journal Articles:
- Freedman D, Stachowiak MK, Stachowiak EK. (2020) Loss of Oligodendrocytes by Oxidative Phosphorylation Inhibitor Rotenone and its Reversal by Phenylbutyrate (PB) in Human Brain Developmental Organoid Model. Translational Neuroscience Research and Reviews (Dec), 3(1): 62-80. doi:10.36959/817/526
- Freedman D, Klejbor I, Mahmood S, Patel M, Stachowiak MK, Stachowiak EK. (2020) Loss of Oligodendrocytes in Mouse Model of Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex Deficiency and Partial Reversal by Phenylbutyrate Treatment. Translational Neuroscience Research and Reviews (Dec), 3(1): 53-61. doi:10.36959/817/525
- DA Freedman, N Nivedm, B Decker, S Narla, S Shafik, S Manohar, R Salvi, MK Stachowiak, EK Stachowiak. (2020) Neurogenesis and Oligodendrogenesis in a Mouse Model of Blast-Induced Traumatic Brain Injury. Neurology and Neurobiology (Dec), 3(3): 1-14. doi:10.31487/j.NNB.2020.03.07
- CA Benson, HR Powell, M Liput, S Dinham, DA Freedman, TA Ignatowski, EK Stachowiak, MK Stachowiak. (2020) Immune Factor, TNFa, Disrupts Human Brain Organoid Development Similar to Schizophrenia—Schizophrenia Increases Developmental Vulnerability to TNFa. Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience (Aug), 14(233): 1-18.
- E. K. Stachowiak, C. A. Benson, S. T. Narla, A. Dimitri, L. E. Bayona Chuye, S. Dhiman, K. Harikrishnan, S. Elahi1, D. Freedman, K. J. Brennand, P. Sarder and M. K. Stachowiak. (2017) Cerebral organoids reveal early cortical maldevelopment in schizophrenia— computational anatomy and genomics, role of FGFR1. Translational Psychiatry (Nov), 7(6)
Professional Memberships:
- American Association of Anatomists; Member of the American Association of Anatomists (2022–present)
Service Activities:
- Jacobs School of Medicine Admissions Committee Member; Admissions Committee Member (2024–present)
- Jacobs School of Medicine Phase I Medical Curriculum Committee Member; Curriculum Committee Member (2024–present)
- Jacob's School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences- Phase I Committee Member; Phase I Committee Member (2024–present)
- Faculty Advisor; Jewish Dental Club (2024–present)
- Club supervisor for Jacobs Raquet Society; Club Supervisor (2021–present)
- Committee Member for Graduate Students in Anatomical Sciences & Neuroscience Departments; Committee Member (2021–2023)
- Helping further develop the brain museum. This includes expanding specimens for viewing in the brain museum. Additionally, working with Drs. Costa & Cohan on creating a virtual reality model of the brain for the use by students and tour groups. This innovative teaching technique will hopefully include whole brain imaging, cross sections, histology, on both a basic, local schools and the public, and advanced, medical and graduate, level for all to learn from. We have developed a couple models as proof of concept which are currently on display on in the brain museum.; Group member (2021–present)
- Give tours of the brain museum and cadaver lab to local high schools from around the area; Tour leader (2021–present)