Dr. Michael Freake

is an Associate Professor of Biology since 2001 and teaches the Kairos Honors course, Environmental Science.

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Dr. Freake integrates his Kairos Honors Environmental Science class into his current research, which focuses on the population ecology and conservation of eastern hellbenders (giant salamanders) in Tennessee, and the potential role of pesticides in amphibian declines. This research program is conducted in collaboration with the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, the National Park Service, and the Cherokee National Forest Service.

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Freake leads a wildlife biology trip to Australia, and coaches the Lee Women’s rugby team. He loves fly fishing, and spends a lot of time in the workshop making things. He is married to Tracy Freake, and they have two children, Chloe and Matthew.