Jennifer DeBruyn is a professor in Biosystems Engineering and Soil Sciences[1] at the University of Tennessee. She is known for her work on biodegradation of agricultural plastics and vertebrate animals (including humans) in natural systems.[2]
DeBruyn received her bachelor's degree from Queens University in Kingston, ON, Canada. She completed her doctoral studies in Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Tennessee. DeBruyn was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture before joining the Biosystems Engineering & Soil Sciences Department. She is presently a Full Professor.[3]
Research
DeBruyn's research focuses on microbial degradation of complex materials. Her doctoral work focused on the degradation of contaminants, using the Chattanooga Creek superfund site[4] and Lake Erie[5] as field models. As a faculty member she established research at UTK's "body farm" to begin to tease apart the role of microbes in cadaver degradation.[6] She is also known for her work the UT Extension, including her contributions to their Backyard STEM outreach program.[7]
Outreach work
DeBruyn has worked to help develop the "Backyard Stem for Tennessee"[8] educational program as part of her appointment with UTK extension. Backyard Stem is a series of state sponsored modules offered through Tennessee 4-H to expose school age children to environmental sciences outside the classroom.
Selected publications
Bandopadhyay S, L Martin-Closas, AM Pelacho, JM DeBruyn. (2018). Biodegradable plastic mulch films: impacts on soil microbial communities and ecosystem functions. Frontiers in Microbiology 9, 349830 doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00819[9]
Cobaugh KL, SM Schaeffer, JM DeBruyn (2015) Functional and structural succession of soil microbial communities below decomposing human cadavers PloS ONE 10 (6), e0130201 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0130201[10]
DeBruyn JM, LT Nixon, MN Fawaz, AM Johnson, M Radosevich (2011) Global biogeography and quantitative seasonal dynamics of Gemmatimonadetes in soil. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77 (17), 6295-6300 doi:10.1128/AEM.05005-11 [11]
Awards, honors and recognition
DeBruyn is often sought by the popular press for her work. She has contributed and been interviewed for articles in outlets including the BBC,[12] NPR,[13] Discover Magazine,[14] CNN,[15] Popular Mechanics,[16][17] and CBCs "Quirks and Quarks" [18]
DeBruyn has been recognized by UTIA with the Mid-Career Award for Faculty Excellence.[19]
Personal life
DeBruyn is a nationally ranked[20]adventure racer with the No Complaints[21] adventure racing team.
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