Department of Biology
ESC 350
200 University Ave. W
Waterloo, Ontario,
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: (519) 888-4567 ext. 32569
Fax: (519) 746-0614
Barbara Butler is interested in the way microorganisms function and interact with their surrounding habitat, whether the habitat is soil, water, the human body, or the food we eat. Her primary focus is teaching and she offers a broad range of courses in microbiology at the undergraduate level.
Contact information
Email: bjbutler@uwaterloo.ca
Expertise
- Microbial ecology
- Environmental microbiology
- General microbiology
- Fate and transport of organic contaminants in subsurface environments
Research Background
Dr. Butler received her PhD in microbiology from the University of Waterloo in 1985. Thereafter she conducted research on aspects of microbial ecology, and the biodegradation of organic contaminants, particularly in groundwater and soil environments. She has also done some work in the realm of microbial physiology (enzymes, heat & cold stress proteins) and with chemolithotrophs (e.g., Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans).
Teaching
Dr. Butler has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses, primarily in microbiology.
Current taught
- BIOL 241, Introduction to Applied Microbiology
- BIOL 345, Microorganisms in Foods
- BIOL 443, Fermentation Biotechnology
- BIOL 447, Environmental Microbiology
- BIOL 449, Public Health Microbiology
- BIOL 240, Fundamentals of Microbiology
- BIOL 346, Microbial Ecology
- BIOL 308, Principles of Molecular Biology
- BIOL 444, Microorganisms and Disease
- BIOL 448, Microbial Physiology and Biochemistry
- BIOL 475, Current Topics in Applied Microbiology (co-taught)
- BIOL/EARTH 624, Environmental Biogeochemistry (co-taught)
- EARTH 657, Organic Contaminants in the Subsurface (co-taught)
Highlighted Publications
Recent publications include
- Pinheiro, M.D.O., Power, M.E., Butler, B.J., Dayeh, V.R., Slawson, R., Lee, L.E.J., Lynn, D.H., Bols, N.C. 2007. Use of Tetrahymena thermophila to study the role of protozoa in inactivation of viruses in water. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73:643-649.
- Schirmer, M., Butler, B.J., Church, C.D., Barker, J.F., Nadarajah, N. 2003. Laboratory evidence of MTBE biodegradation in Borden aquifer material. J. Contam. Hydrol. 60:229-249.
- Hunkeler, D., Aravena, R., Butler, B.J. 1999. Monitoring microbial dechlorination of tetrachloroethene (PCE) in groundwater using compound-specific stable carbon isotopes: Microcosm and field studies. Environ. Sci. Technol. 33:2733-2738.
- Butler, B.J., Barker, J.F. 1996. Chemical and microbiological transformations and degradation of chlorinated solvent compounds. In Pankow, J.F., Cherry, J.A., (eds), Dense Chlorinated Solvents and Other DNAPLs in Groundwater - History, Behaviour, and Remediation. Waterloo Press, Portland Oregon. pp. 267-312.
- Allen-King, R.M., Butler, B.J., and Reichert, B. 1995. Fate of the herbicide glufosinate-ammonium in the sandy, low-organic carbon aquifer at CFB Borden, Ontario. J. Contam. Hydrol. 18:161-179.
Please see Barb Butler's Google Scholar profile for a list of her publications.
Awards and Distinctions
- 2012 Department of Biology Carlson Award for Teaching Excellence
University of Waterloo Affiliations
- Science Undergraduate Studies Committee, Biology/Biochemistry
- Faculty Committee on Student Appeals, Biology Representative
- Faculty of Science Foundation, Faculty Director, Biology
- Biology Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
- Biochemistry Undergraduate Curriculum Committee (Joint with Chemistry)
Professional Associations and Service
- Canadian Society of Microbiologists
- American Society for Microbiology
- Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Reviewer: Water, Air & Soil Pollution, Canadian Journal of Microbiology, FEMS Microbiology Letters, Groundwater Monitoring & Remediation, PLoS One, Applied Geochemistry, Canadian Geotechnical Journal
Degrees
1985 PhD Microbiology, University of Waterloo
1980 MSc Microbiology, University of Waterloo
1977 BSc Biology, University of Waterloo