Jennifer Bell, Ph.D.

A native of Laramie, Wyo., Jennifer Bell is pleased to return to her hometown as an SER Assistant Professor of Soil Science and Reclamation in the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources (CALSNR) where her efforts focus on the soil aspects of land reclamation.

A graduate of the University of Wyoming, Bell earned dual bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Molecular Biology before attending the University of Mississippi for her master’s degree in Microbial Ecology. She then attended the University of Saskatchewan for her Ph.D. in Soil Science where she specialized in grassland ecosystems.

 

Following her education, Bell went on to work as a postdoctoral researcher at the Morton Arboretum and Northern Illinois University where she worked in tallgrass prairie restorations. There she monitored the soil changes that occurred from agriculture as it was converted back to prairie and what happened with the microbes.

 

She also has substantial experience as a lab manager, supervising students and soil science projects at the University of New Mexico and the University of Wyoming.

 

Jennifer Bell teaches the Reclamation of Drastically Disturbed Lands course and two additional Soil Science courses. She is also committed to experiential learning and has a strong focus in her courses on getting students out of the classroom and into the field. This method emphasizes active participation, reflection, and application of knowledge in practical settings, as well as fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and personal growth by allowing learners to connect theoretical knowledge with real-life challenges.

Bell is also working closely with SER’s Center for Carbon Capture and Conversion on their coal char soil amendment project and working to revive the Wyoming Reclamation and Restoration Center.