About Us

Founder and principal scientist Callie Freeman PhD, a native of Lexington, KY, graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Throughout her undergraduate education, Callie was involved in numerous research projects including: equine performance and nutrition, distribution and habitat studies of the Allegheny woodrat, and investigations into agnostic behavior of certain fishes. In the last years of her undergraduate study, Callie was afforded the opportunity to work in the field of Turfgrass Entomology. She quickly developed a particular interest in the area of biological control and garnered a deep appreciation for the applied aspects of this field. 

After graduation, Callie pursued her master’s degree in Entomology at the University of Kentucky under the direction of Dr. Daniel Potter. Her research involved the detection, formulation, and evaluation of an insect specific virus against caterpillar pests of golf course greens. This was the first research to use a virus for management of a turfgrass pest. 

After completing her degree in 2005, Callie moved to Raleigh, NC and studied for her doctorate degree in Entomology under the direction of Dr. Rick L. Brandenburg. Her research focused on developing a statewide management plan for white grubs impacting North Carolina’s sod industry. 

Upon graduation in 2010, Parker BioLabs LLC was formed. Callie has received several prestigious awards for her work including the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s Watson Fellowship, North Carolina State’s Preparing the Professoriate Fellowship and the North Carolina State’s Turfgrass Eagle Award. 

In her time away from work, Callie enjoys fly fishing and being in the outdoors with her family as often as she can. She has a passion for teaching and natural resource conservation and has volunteered her time co-leading PDX Women on the Fly, an affiliate group of Trout Unlimited as well as serving on the Board of Directors of the Coastal Conservation Association of North Carolina and as Donations Chair for the East Kentucky Ladies chapter of Ducks Unlimited. Callie currently is working towards becoming a Certified Casting Instructor with Fly Fishers International so that she may elevate her ability as a volunteer and help ease new members into the sport.

Callie and her husband, Lieutenant Colonel Heath Freeman, United States Marine Corps, currently reside in Hampstead, NC with their two children and Labrador Benelli Rose.