Linette Watkins

Linette Watkins is a Professor and Department Head at the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at James Madison University (JMU), where she has been affiliated since 2014. Her work bridges biochemistry and applied microbiology, focusing on industrial and environmental applications of enzymatic processes.

• Education
  • PhD in Biochemistry, 1996, University of Notre Dame
  • BS in Biochemistry, 1989, Trinity University

Research Interests: Dr. Watkins’ research investigates bacterial desulfurization of fossil fuels through the dsz gene system, aiming to improve enzymatic stability and substrate selectivity. Additional projects explore enzymatic modification of polymer monomers and novel biodegradation pathways in soil bacteria. Her work has implications for cleaner energy technologies and sustainable chemical synthesis.

Key Publications: She has co-edited influential volumes such as Growing Diverse STEM Communities (2019) and Best Practices for Chemistry REU Programs (2018), addressing educational equity and undergraduate research frameworks. Earlier publications focus on inter-institutional collaborations in STEM.

Labs & Teams: Leads the Watkins Lab at JMU, which integrates molecular biology and industrial biochemistry to tackle challenges in fossil fuel desulfurization and biodegradation enzyme discovery.