Jennifer Mendell

Jennifer Mendell is an Associate Professor of Biological Sciences at Bridgewater State University, where she has been a faculty member since 2009. She teaches General Biology I, General Microbiology, and Medical Microbiology courses.

Education:

• BA, Wheaton College
• PhD, Cornell University

Dr. Mendell's research spans multiple areas of microbiology and public health. Her primary research focuses on the analysis of microbial communities present in drinking water sources from Cambodia and their impact on human health. She combines microbial ecology with medical microbiology in her community service work, regularly bringing students to Cambodia to address clean water issues. Additionally, she researches the epidemiology of pathogens including Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease) and Anaplasma spp (causing Anaplasmosis) in the tick vector Ixodes scapularis, with particular attention to their prevalence in Plymouth County.

Dr. Mendell is actively involved in mentoring and advising undergraduates. She serves as the Honors Chair for the Department of Biological Sciences and is the Faculty Advisor for both the Biology Club and Beta Beta Beta, the National Biological Honor Society.