Wade Jeffrey

Dr. Wade Jeffrey is a Professor and Director at the Center for Environmental Diagnostics and Bioremediation (CEDB) at the University of West Florida, where he also directs the Reubin O'D. Askew Institute of Multidisciplinary Studies. He has been a key faculty member since 1991, contributing extensively to marine microbial ecology and environmental research.

• Position: Director of CEDB & AIMS
• Department: Biology
• Email: wjeffrey@uwf.edu
• Office: Building 58, Room 70, UWF

Education:

• B.S. in Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1981
• M.S. in Marine Science, University of South Florida, 1985
• Ph.D. in Marine Science, University of South Florida, 1989
• Postdoctoral Fellow, US EPA Gulf Ecology Division

Dr. Jeffrey's research centers on marine microbial ecology, with a focus on the impacts of ultraviolet radiation, oil spills, and climate change on microbial communities. He studies DNA damage and repair mechanisms in marine microbes and explores microbial diversity in extreme environments such as the Arctic, Antarctic, and the Atacama Desert. His work spans global ecosystems, including coral reefs, mountain lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico. He integrates microbiology, oceanography, molecular biology, and photobiology in his interdisciplinary approach.

His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on microbial responses to environmental stressors, with recurring themes in UV radiation, oil contamination, and biogeochemical dynamics. Articles frequently examine bacterial abundance, productivity, and community structure across diverse marine and extreme environments. Research extends from coastal estuaries to polar oceans, highlighting his global fieldwork footprint and collaborative science.

Scientific Contributions and Roles:

• Associate Editor, Limnology and Oceanography (since 2004)
• Representative on Florida Institute of Oceanography’s advisory committee
• Principal investigator on multiple NSF-funded projects
• Published in high-impact journals including Nature, Nature Microbiology, and Science of the Total Environment

Dr. Jeffrey has secured over $6.5 million in external research funding, supporting collaborative projects involving faculty and students. His work on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill has significantly advanced understanding of microbial responses to oil contamination in the Gulf of Mexico. He teaches courses such as Biological Oceanography, Climate Change Biology, and Professional Development in Biology, mentoring the next generation of scientists. He leads active research teams at CEDB, focusing on environmental diagnostics and bioremediation, and maintains extensive data archives from polar and oceanic research cruises.