Jennifer Ufnar, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Center for Science Outreach
Dr. Ufnar received her doctorate in Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi and her bachelors degree in Geology from Vanderbilt University. A native of Nashville, she is committed to helping teachers and students in Middle Tennessee stay abreast of the changes in science and learn new ways of approaching science teaching and learning in the schools.
Scientific Research Interests
My scientific research focuses on determination of nonpoint sources of fecal pollution in recreational waters. Nonpoint source contamination can enter surface water environments via agricultural and urban surface runoff, wastewater discharge, stormwater drainage systems, faulty sewage systems, and domestic and wild animals. For determination of human health risk, fecal indicator bacteria are traditionally used to indicate the presence of potential pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella sp. and Shigella sp. and enteric viruses including Norovirus and Hepatitis A. In recreational waters such as beaches, tidal creeks and estuaries, humans can be exposed to these pathogens through ingestion of contaminated seafood or seawater, or from open wounds. Traditional detection methods for fecal coliforms or enterococci are culture-based (require a 24-hour test), may not indicate recent pollution events due to aftergrowth in sediments, and cannot indicate the source of the fecal pollution. Therefore, there is a need to develop rapid, simple, and unambiguous methods for the identification of host-specific organisms to indicate potential fecal contamination sources.
I have developed and tested several alternative archaea molecular markers for the host-specific identification of animal fecal pollution in coastal waters. This is the first use of methanogens as host-specific indicators and includes methods targeting the nifH genes of Methanobrevibacter smithii (Mnif; sewage-specific) and Methanobrevibacter ruminantium (Mrnif; domesticated ruminant-specific); the mcrAgene of Methanomicrobium mobile (MMmcrA; ruminant specific); and the mcrA gene of an uncultured methanogen from swine feces (P23-2). These methods are currently being evaluated in conjunction with an epidemiological study for future application by regulatory agencies.
The impacts of this research for beach monitoring efforts around the country include delineation of host-specific sources of fecal contamination leading to beach water remediation and monitoring efforts, determination of closing or opening of beaches, creation of TMDL standards, and prediction of public health hazards at swimming beaches. Regulatory agencies can use these methods in conjunction with other host-specific methods of source identification as an innovative measure of water quality for controlling the impact of contamination entering the coastal environment.
Representative Publications
Ufnar, J.A., Wang, S.Y., Ufnar, D.F., Ellender, R.D. 2007. Methanobrevibacter ruminantium as an indicator of domestic ruminant fecal pollution in surface waters, Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 73(21):7118-7121.
Ufnar, J.A., Ufnar, D.F., Wang, S.Y., Ellender, R.D. 2007. Development of a Methanogen Marker for Detection of Porcine Fecal Pollution in Surface Waters, Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 73:5209-5217.
McCombs, G., Ufnar, J.A., and Shepherd, V.L. 2007. The virtual scientist: Connecting university scientists to the K-12 classroom through videoconferencing. Amer. J. Physiol. 31:62-66.
Ufnar, J.A., Wang, S., Christiansen, J.M., Yampara-Iquise, H., Carson, C.A., Ellender, R.D. 2006. Detection of the nifH gene of Methanobrevibacter smithii: a potential tool to identify sewage pollution in recreational waters. J. Appl. Microbiol. 101:44-52.
Ufnar, D.F., Ufnar, J.A., Rebarchik, D., Ellender, R.D. 2006. Influence of coastal processes on high fecal coliform counts in Mississippi beach waters, Journal of Coastal Research, 22(6):1515-1526.
Ufnar, D.F., Ufnar, J.A., White, T.W., Rebarchik, D., Ellender, R.D., 2005, Meteorological influences on fecal coliform pollution in the Mississippi Sound, Transactions, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, 55:835-843.
Ferguson, J.S., Voelker, D.R., Ufnar, J.A., Dawson, A.J., and Schlesinger, L.S. 2002. Surfactant protein D inhibition of human macrophage uptake of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is independent of bacterial agglutination, J. Immunol., 168:1309-1314.