Barbara J. Butler

Continuing Lecturer

Barb Butler 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