Jennifer Bowen’s work runs the gamut from understanding how human derived nutrients are altering the structure and function of salt marshes to examining whether oyster aquaculture increases the prevalence of both beneficial and harmful microorganisms in the environment. At the broadest levels, she is interested in how human activities are altering the structure and function of microbial communities and in turn how microbial communities can help ameliorate pollution from human sources.
Publications
In The News
-
All in the mud: nutrients and microbes aid understanding of marsh resilience
Researchers in the Bowen Lab at Northeastern University’s Marine Science Center are working to expand our understanding of salt marsh resilience to the threats of sea level rise. -
Women in Science: Communicating our Impacts on Marine Communities
Part 2: The Marine Science Center is highlighting faculty who are advancing scientific knowledge and removing barriers for the next generation of women in STEM. -
Understanding Nitrogen’s Impact on Coastal Zones
A new study led by Jennifer Bowen aims to understand the human impact of nitrogen in coastal zones. -
College of Science recognizes inaugural Excellence in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice Faculty Awards
Congratulations to the inaugural awardees of the COS Excellence in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice Faculty Award: Dr. Jennifer Bowen, Associate Professor, Marine and Environmental Sciences; Dr. Wendy Smith, Professor, Biology; and Dr. Xuwen Zhu, Assistant Professor, Math. These faculty have shown their deep commitment to fostering equity and inclusion in the College of Science and beyond. -
Instagram takeover: Ocean Genome Legacy Center
Kira Becker and Lee Fenuccio recently completed a co-op at the Ocean Genome Legacy Center (OGL). They are taking over our Instagram the week of June 27 to reflect on their experience. Follow along! -
BEACHES program participants meet at Northeastern’s Nahant campus to navigate their paths to graduate school and to science
The BEACHES program, hosted by Northeastern’s Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences, brought an incredible cohort of student researchers to the Nahant Campus last week for an immersive discussion about what their next steps will be. BEACHES (Bridging Each Applicant’s Chances for Higher Ed Success) has been held for several years at Northeastern; after a COVID pause, the program resumed last June with a cohort of 9 students; this year, it grew to 13, with dozens more in the competitive applicant pool. BEACHES is an all-expense paid 3-day boot camp with the goal of demystifying the graduate school application process; the program is supported by the Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences; continued funding for the program was secured from NSF (DEB 2203322) last year by Drs. Jen Bowen and Randall Hughes and through a COS faculty excellence award in EDIJ awarded to Bowen. -
Bowen to explore microbial activities in new $8.4M coastal marsh project
Dr. Bowen's work in this collaborative project focuses on using tools from molecular biology to understand how the diverse metabolisms of microbes affect the ecosystem services provided by marshes. -
Research
What are runnels, the man-made channels that help restore salt marshes?
Runnels, shallow man made channels, help keep salt marshes healthy according to Jennifer Bowen, professor of marine and environmental sciences, a task that is becoming harder as sea levels continue to rise.