Rate My Professor Stephen Free

Stephen J. Free is a Research Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo, where he has served on the faculty since 1975. He earned his PhD from Stanford University and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of Wisconsin. Free's research specializes in the molecular, cellular, and developmental biology of filamentous fungi, particularly characterizing cell wall biosynthesis in Neurospora crassa. His laboratory has identified the major glycoproteins and polysaccharides present in the N. crassa cell wall, detailed how they become incorporated into the wall structure, analyzed the enzymatic properties of various cell wall glycoproteins, and studied cell wall alterations throughout the fungal life cycle. Ongoing investigations also examine transcription factors and signal transduction pathways that control female development in Neurospora crassa.

Free has been honored with the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and the Meyerson Award for Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching and Mentoring. His prolific publication record features highly influential works, including "The structure and synthesis of the fungal cell wall" (BioEssays, 2006; 1766 citations), "Fungal cell wall organization and biosynthesis" (Advances in Genetics, 2013; 674 citations), "Identification and characterization of genes required for cell-to-cell fusion in Neurospora crassa" (Eukaryotic Cell, 2011; 193 citations), and "Architecture and development of the Neurospora crassa hypha—a model cell for polarized growth" (Fungal Biology, 2011; 175 citations). Recent contributions encompass "Characterization of the Neurospora crassa GH72 family of Laminarin/Lichenin transferases and their roles in cell wall biogenesis" (The Cell Surface, 2025), "Characterization of the Neurospora crassa galactosaminogalactan biosynthetic pathway" (Microorganisms, 2024), "Characterization of the need for galactofuranose during the Neurospora crassa life cycle" (Fungal Genetics and Biology, 2023), and "Genetic Characterization of the Acidic and Neutral Glycosphingolipid biosynthetic pathways in Neurospora crassa" (Microorganisms, 2023). Free's research has substantially advanced knowledge in fungal cell wall biogenesis and related developmental processes.