Jennifer Bennett

• Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (concentration in Microbial Genetics/Cell and Molecular Biology) from Duquesne University.
• M.S. in Biological Sciences
• B.S. in Biology and Chemistry from La Roche College

During the past four years, Jennifer has established a new microbial genetics research laboratory. Jennifer continues to work with undergraduate students at Otterbein to study novel developmental genes in a pharmacologically important bacterium. Her research program uses microscopy, genetics, biochemistry, bioinformatics and statistics to study the new genes her students have identified. The regulation of antibiotic production and biofilm formation by bacterial signaling pathways are of special interest. Jennifer teaches Microbiology, Molecular Genetics, Cell Biology and Senior Seminar.

• Bennett J, Saunders C. 2019. A virtual tour of the cell: impact of virtual reality on student learning and engagement in the stem classroom. J. Microbiol. Biol. Educ. 20(2): doi:10.1128/jmbe.v20i2.1658
• Bennett, J. A., Kandell, G. V.*, Kirk, S. G.*, McCormick, J. R. 2018. Visual and Microscopic Evaluation of Streptomyces Developmental Mutants. J. Vis. Exp. (139), e57373, doi:10.3791/57373.
• Saunders, C. P. and J. A. Bennett. The Immersive Experience - How Virtual Reality Can Support Student Learning. Educational Media and Technology Yearbook. Invited Book Chapter Accepted to Educational Media and Technology Yearbook.
• Hull, T.D.*, Min-Hyung Ryu, M. J. Sullivan*, N.T. Klena*, R.C. Johnson*, R.M. Geiger, M. Gomelsky and J.A. Bennett. 2012. C-di-GMP Phosphodiesterases RmdA and RmdB are Involved in Regulating Colony Morphology and Development inStreptomyces coelicolor. J. Bacteriology.194:4642-51.
• Bennett, J. A. and J. R. McCormick. Identification of novel developmental genes using a high efficiencyin vivotransposon system inStreptomyces coelicolor. Manuscript in final revision prior to submission to J. Bacteriology.
• Bennett, J.A. Successfully Combining Start-up Faculty Research with Undergraduate Research. Fall 2010. Invited article published in CURQ Focus on the Web.31:1-4.
• Bennett, J. A., J. Yarnall^, A. B. Cadwallader*, R. Kuennen*, P. Bidey*, B. Stadelmaier*, and J. R. McCormick. 2009. Medium-dependent phenotypes ofStreptomyces coelicolorwith mutations inftsIorftsW. J. Bacteriology.191:661-664.
• Bennett, J. A., R. M. Aimino* and J. R. McCormick. 2007.Streptomyces coelicolorgenesftsLanddivICplay a role in cell division, but are dispensable for colony formation. J. Bacteriology.189:8982-8992.
• Bennett, J. A. and J. R. McCormick. 2001. Two new loci affecting cell division identified as suppressors of anftsQ-null mutation inStreptomyces coelicolorA3(2). FEMS Microbiology Letters.202:251-256.

(*Indicates Undergraduate Co-Authors and ^ Master of Science Student Co-Author)

• La Roche College 50th Anniversary Distinguished Alumni Circle
• Chair, American Society for Microbiology National Science Teaching Fellows Training Program
• 2013 Nominee for Otterbein University New Teacher of the Year Award
• Graduate Teaching Award for the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
• Member, American Society for Microbiology, National and Ohio Branch
• Member, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology