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Jennifer Mary DeBruyn

Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science

Specialization: Environmental Microbiology

Overview

Dr. DeBruyn is an environmental microbiologist, conducting research and education in decomposition and biodegradation in agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Research Focus

Microbial ecology, biodegradation, decomposition

Outreach Focus

Environmental education, youth STEM

Teaching Focus

Environmental biology

Research Questions
  • What are the impacts of agricultural plastics on soil microbial communities and soil health?
  • How do microbes decompose and recycle animal and human mortalities?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ESS 454 - Environmental Soil Biology
3 credit hour(s)

Biology and biochemistry of the soil environment as they apply to environmental and agricultural processes and sustainability. Topics include the soil habitat, microbial ecology and diversity, biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, biodegradation, and research methodology to investigate soil microorganisms. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both ESS 454 and ESS 554.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ESS 231, ESS 232; BIOL113* or BIOL150* or BIOL158*; BIOL114* or BIOL160* or BIOL168*

Other Instructors: Radosevich, Mark A.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 554 - Environmental Soil Biology
3 credit hour(s)

Biology and biochemistry of the soil environment as they apply to environmental and agricultural processes and sustainability. Topics include the soil habitat, microbial ecology and diversity, biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, biodegradation, and research methodology to investigate soil microorganisms. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both 454 and 554.
Recommended Background: Introductory soils and introductory biology.

Other Instructors: Radosevich, Mark A.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 614 - Advanced Topics in Soil Biology and Biochemistry
3 credit hour(s)

Topics of current significance; scientific literature.

(RE) Prerequisite(s) : 516.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Semesters Offered: Fall
MICR 400 - Laboratory Problems in Microbiology
2 - 4 credit hours

Research projects under the direction of a faculty member.

Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours. Credit Restriction: May not be applied toward the major.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Eda, Shigetoshi

Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
MICR 401 - Undergraduate Research in Microbiology
3 credit hour(s)

Research experience in laboratory of faculty member.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – junior.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor and department head.

Other Instructors: Eda, Shigetoshi

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
MICR 402 - Advanced Undergraduate Research in Microbiology
4 credit hour(s)

Supervised research. May be taken to satisfy honors thesis.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : MICR 401.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – junior.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor and department head.

Other Instructors: Eda, Shigetoshi

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Picture of Jennifer Mary DeBruyn

865-974-7277

jdebruyn@tennessee.edu

ORCID: 0000-0002-2993-4144
Google Scholar
Elements (Faculty.utk.edu)
430 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4531
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Ecology, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 2008
  • BS, Biology, Queen's University, 2003
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Lab Members
Nimat Ajide-Bamigboye
Hannah Lynn Noel
Ivette Fuentes Quispe
Lois Stacy Taylor
Savannah Nicole Belz
Sierra Bartlett
Web Presence
Lab Website

Jennifer Mary DeBruyn

Professor | Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science
Picture of Jennifer Mary DeBruyn image

865-974-7277

jdebruyn@tennessee.edu

ORCID: 0000-0002-2993-4144
Google Scholar
Elements (Faculty.utk.edu)
430 Plant Biotechnology Building
2505 E J Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996-4531
Education and Training
  • Doctorate, Ecology, Univ of Tennessee Knoxville*, 2008
  • BS, Biology, Queen's University, 2003
Responsible Area(s)
  • Agriculture and Natural Resources
Overview

Dr. DeBruyn is an environmental microbiologist, conducting research and education in decomposition and biodegradation in agricultural and natural ecosystems.

Research Focus

Microbial ecology, biodegradation, decomposition

Outreach Focus

Environmental education, youth STEM

Teaching Focus

Environmental biology

Research Questions
  • What are the impacts of agricultural plastics on soil microbial communities and soil health?
  • How do microbes decompose and recycle animal and human mortalities?
Courses
Below are courses taught during the current or past three academic years. Consult Timetable for the most current listing of courses and instructor(s).
ESS 454 - Environmental Soil Biology
3 credit hour(s)

Biology and biochemistry of the soil environment as they apply to environmental and agricultural processes and sustainability. Topics include the soil habitat, microbial ecology and diversity, biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, biodegradation, and research methodology to investigate soil microorganisms. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both ESS 454 and ESS 554.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : ESS 231, ESS 232; BIOL113* or BIOL150* or BIOL158*; BIOL114* or BIOL160* or BIOL168*

Other Instructors: Radosevich, Mark A.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 554 - Environmental Soil Biology
3 credit hour(s)

Biology and biochemistry of the soil environment as they apply to environmental and agricultural processes and sustainability. Topics include the soil habitat, microbial ecology and diversity, biogeochemical cycling of nutrients, biodegradation, and research methodology to investigate soil microorganisms. Credit Restriction: Students cannot receive credit for both 454 and 554.
Recommended Background: Introductory soils and introductory biology.

Other Instructors: Radosevich, Mark A.

Semesters Offered: Spring
ESS 614 - Advanced Topics in Soil Biology and Biochemistry
3 credit hour(s)

Topics of current significance; scientific literature.

(RE) Prerequisite(s) : 516.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level - graduate.

Semesters Offered: Fall
MICR 400 - Laboratory Problems in Microbiology
2 - 4 credit hours

Research projects under the direction of a faculty member.

Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours. Credit Restriction: May not be applied toward the major.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor.

Other Instructors: Eda, Shigetoshi

Semesters Offered: Fall, Summer
MICR 401 - Undergraduate Research in Microbiology
3 credit hour(s)

Research experience in laboratory of faculty member.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – junior.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor and department head.

Other Instructors: Eda, Shigetoshi

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
MICR 402 - Advanced Undergraduate Research in Microbiology
4 credit hour(s)

Supervised research. May be taken to satisfy honors thesis.

Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.
(RE) Prerequisite(s) : MICR 401.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – junior.
Registration Permission: Consent of instructor and department head.

Other Instructors: Eda, Shigetoshi

Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Lab Members
Nimat Ajide-Bamigboye
Hannah Lynn Noel
Ivette Fuentes Quispe
Lois Stacy Taylor
Savannah Nicole Belz
Sierra Bartlett
Web Presence
Lab Website