Jennifer Blanchard

Jennifer Blanchard is an Instructor in the School of Plant, Environmental and Soil Sciences at Louisiana State University (LSU AgCenter). She specializes in medicinal plants, environmental sciences, and integrated pest management. Her roles include coordinating the medicinal plant certification program and developing curricula for courses like Louisiana Medicinal Plants (HORT 2080) and Management of Pests in Urban Environments (ENTM 3020).

Education:

• PhD Student, School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences (ongoing)
• M.S., Earth and Environmental Science (University of New Orleans, 2009)
• B.S., Environmental Biology (University of Southern Mississippi, 2006)

Research Interests: Focuses on native Louisiana medicinal plants, their cultivation, and application in human health and environmental sustainability. Specializes in plant-derived antifungals for the cannabis industry and the propagation of native plants for ecological benefits.

Publications: Recent works include studies on native grasses for landscapes, nutrient leaching reduction in container crops, and medicinal plant trials. Her research spans botany, horticulture, and environmental science, emphasizing practical applications in agriculture and ecology.

Awards: Institute for Environmental Communication Fellow (Loyola University, 2019).

Grants & Experience: Lead the LSU AgCenter Therapeutic Cannabis Research Program (2022 grant). Over two decades of experience in botanical research, including roles as a field botanist (Pollinator Partnership) and research assistant in geochemistry and tropical medicine. Extensive teaching experience at LSU, high schools, and community colleges.

Labs/Teams: Manages the medicinal plant trial garden at Hill Farm and collaborates with LSU’s extension programs for applied agricultural research.