Biography

Jenny Bhatnagar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biology at Boston University. She earned her B.A. in Chemistry from Boston University and her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University of California, Irvine. Prior to joining Boston University in 2014, she was a NOAA Climate & Global Change Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Minnesota and Stanford University. Dr. Bhatnagar is a microbial ecologist and biogeochemist, recognized for her work on the biogeography and nutrient cycling activities of soil microorganisms. Her research focuses on identifying patterns of microbial abundance and activity in forests and understanding how human-induced global changes – such as warming, elevated carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, nutrient pollution, and urbanization – impact microbial activity in soils and plants at the molecular, community, and landscape levels. Dr. Bhatnagar is interested in diversifying the STEM workforce by developing a more inclusive learning environment in academic science. She has created several key initiatives at BU in this area, including the Prospective Scholars Program, which provides prospective graduate students from historically underrepresented group in STEM guidance for navigating the graduate application and admissions process.

Dr. Bhatnagar is editor of the journal Rhizosphere and a member of the Committee of Scientists at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. She has faculty appointments in the Biogeoscience, URBAN, Molecular Biology & Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics Ph.D. programs at BU, and is a founding member of the BU Microbiome Initiative. She is a recipient of the Scholar Award from P.E.O. International, the Murray F. Buell Award from the Ecological Society of America, the Early Career Award from the Soil Ecology Society, and the Patricia McLellan Leavitt Research Award for the promotion of women in science.