Jessica Ernakovich

Jessica Ernakovich is an Associate Professor in the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment at the University of New Hampshire (UNH). She contributes to the UNH Center for Soil Biogeochemistry and Microbial Ecology (Soil BioME) Lab, focusing on microbial ecology and soil chemistry in diverse ecosystems.

Education:

• Ph.D., Ecology, Colorado State University
• B.S., Chemistry, California Polytechnic State University

Her research explores how microbial communities and soil chemistry influence ecosystem function, particularly in permafrost-affected Arctic tundra and agricultural systems in New Hampshire. Utilizing genomics and stable isotopes, she investigates greenhouse gas dynamics, soil organic matter transformations, and nitrogen cycling under climate change scenarios.

Jessica's recent publications emphasize permafrost thaw impacts on microbial diversity, carbon cycling, and greenhouse gas emissions. Her work integrates X-ray tomography for pore structure analysis and metabolite-microbiome interactions in thaw gradients.

She teaches courses including Soil Ecology (NR 706/806), Arctic Ecology and Society (NR 743/843), and Contemporary Conservation Issues (NR 435). The Soil BioME Lab, which she leads, prioritizes collaborative science and inclusive research practices.