Barry I. Freedman

Dr. Barry I. Freedman serves as Professor of Nephrology in the Department of Internal Medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC. He also holds professorial appointments in Urology and the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and serves as Section Chief of Nephrology.

His educational background includes an MD from State University of New York Brooklyn (1984), Internal Medicine internship at Eastern Virginia Medical School (1985), Internal Medicine residency at Eastern Virginia Graduate School of Medicine (1987), and Nephrology fellowship at Bowman Gray School of Medicine (1989).

Dr. Freedman's research focuses on kidney diseases with particular emphasis on genetic factors affecting African American populations. His work centers on APOL1-associated nephropathy, diabetic kidney disease, and the intersection of hypertension and kidney failure. His research program examines how genetic variants influence kidney disease progression, particularly in populations with diabetes.

His publications reveal a strong focus on genetic determinants of kidney disease, especially in African American populations. Recent work includes significant contributions to understanding APOL1 gene variants, diabetic retinopathy pathways, and cardiometabolic risk factors associated with kidney disease. His research often employs genome-wide association studies to identify genetic markers that predict disease progression and treatment response.

Dr. Freedman is board certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in both Internal Medicine and Nephrology. His professional affiliations include the American Heart Association, North Carolina Medical Association, American Society of Nephrology, American College of Physicians, International Society of Nephrology, Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society, Renal Physicians Association, National Kidney Foundation, and American Society of Hypertension.

He maintains extensive institutional affiliations including the Cardiovascular Sciences Center, Sticht Center for Healthy Aging and Alzheimer's Prevention, Hypertension and Vascular Research Center, Center for Diabetes Obesity and Metabolism, and Maya Angelou Research Center for Healthy Communities.