Biography

Jennifer DeBruyn is a Professor in the Department of Biosystems Engineering & Soil Science at the University of Tennessee. She is an environmental microbiologist, conducting research in decomposition and biodegradation in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. Her current focus areas are 1) biodegradation and impacts of agricultural plastics on soil microbial communities, and 2) decomposition and postmortem microbiome of vertebrate (human and animal) mortalities. Dr. DeBruyn’s extension programs primary focus on environmental education for K12 teachers and 4-H educators. She currently teaches senior and graduate level courses in environmental microbiology.