The School of Molecular & Cellular Biology is pleased to announce that Brian Freeman, Professor of Cell & Developmental Biology, has received the Irwin C. Gunsalus Professorship from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
The I. C. Gunsalus Professorship supports experts in the biomolecular fields who demonstrate high originality of thought, independence, and research impact. Freeman’s research deals with aging, transcription, chromatin remodeling, and genome reorganization.
"Being selected for the Irwin C. Gunsalus Professorship is a great honor and a humbling recognition as it means my close Illinois colleagues find value in my scientific, teaching, and service contributions," Freeman said. "The Professorship provides material support that will be used to pursue ambitious projects that typically might not be funded through conventional channels."
Freeman is one of seven faculty members throughout LAS who were honored with named professorships. Each recipient will be awarded discretionary funding to carry out research and scholarship related to their fields and will be honored in investiture ceremonies scheduled throughout the year.
“These professors represent the very best of LAS in terms of research, scholarship, public engagement, education, and service,” said Venetria K. Patton, the Harry E. Preble Dean of the College of LAS. “We will celebrate their achievements with pride and look forward to their future endeavors and accomplishments.”
Freeman's professorship is named after the late Irwin C. Gunsalus, a former professor in microbiology and head of biochemistry who retired in 1982. Gunsalus later went on to work for the United Nations and conducted studies for the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
Freeman is the third MCB faculty member to receive an endowed position in 2026 after Auinash Kalsotra was named the Philip A. Sharp Professor of Biochemistry in April and Andrew Belmont received the Gutgsell Professorship in August.
