Jennifer Drew

Jennifer Drew is an Instructional Associate Professor in the Microbiology & Cell Science Department at the University of Florida. Her work bridges bioinformatics education, microbiome studies, and equitable STEM pedagogy. She focuses on integrating bioinformatics into undergraduate curricula, addressing barriers in life sciences education, and exploring the role of microbiome-genetic interactions in health conditions like type 1 diabetes.

Her research interests include microbiome analysis in mental health contexts, genetic risk factors for autoimmune diseases, and innovative assessment strategies for hybrid learning environments. Notably, she has contributed to developing educational frameworks for bioinformatics competencies and advocated for fair scholarship criteria for part-time students.

Dr. Drew’s recent studies highlight the impact of pandemic conditions on transfer students, microbiome links to suicidal ideation, and the efficacy of online STEM education delivery. She is affiliated with the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and collaborates on projects emphasizing agricultural microbial diversity and genomic analysis tools like the PIME package.

• Education Focus: Bioinformatics integration, online/hybrid teaching strategies
• Research Themes: Microbiome health associations, genetic risk scoring, STEM equity
• Key Contributions: NIBLS-E network leadership, PIME bioinformatics tool development