Barbara J. Butler

• Microbial ecology
• Environmental microbiology
• General microbiology
• Fate and transport of organic contaminants in subsurface environments

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).

Dr. Butler has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses, primarily in microbiology. She is the course coordinator for BIOL 499, Senior Honours Project.

Current courses

• BIOL 241, Introduction to Applied Microbiology
• BIOL 345, Microorganisms in Foods
• BIOL 443, Fermentation Biotechnology
• BIOL 447, Environmental Microbiology
• BIOL 449, Public Health Microbiology

Other courses have included 

• 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)

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.

• 2012 Department of Biology Carlson Award for Teaching Excellence

• 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)

• 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

1985 PhD Microbiology, University of Waterloo

1980 MSc Microbiology, University of Waterloo

1977 BSc Biology, University of Waterloo