Rate My Professor Jennifer DeBruyn

Jennifer DeBruyn is a Professor of Environmental Microbiology in the Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research expertise lies in environmental microbiology and microbial ecology, focusing on the processes of decomposition and biodegradation in terrestrial environments. She studies how microbial communities recycle both natural organic matter, such as animal and human remains, and anthropogenic inputs like agricultural plastics. This work contributes to solutions for waste disposal, environmental bioremediation, and predicting ecosystem responses to disturbances. Current projects encompass the microbial dynamics of animal decomposition and nutrient recycling, the effects of biodegradable and conventional microplastics on soil ecology and health, and the impacts of agricultural management practices—including reduced tillage, cover cropping, native forage grasses, and genetically engineered crops—on soil microbial communities and their functions.

DeBruyn's investigations into the necrobiome, microbial interactions with plastics and microplastics in soil, and the environmental implications of green burials have established her as a leader in these areas. In recognition of her distinguished research contributions to microbial breakdown of organic materials ranging from agricultural plastics to human remains, she was elected a 2025 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Her scholarly work has garnered over 8,600 citations, underscoring her impact on the fields of environmental microbiology and soil science. Affiliated with the Herbert College of Agriculture, she provides expertise on topics including the decomposition of deceased humans and animals and the influence of biodegradable plastics on soil health.