Deborah Neher

Professor Emerita

deborah.neher@uvm.edu
Headshot
deborah.neher@uvm.edu
My Profile
Alma mater(s)
  • Ph.D. Plant Pathology, University of California, Davis, 1990
  • M.S. Plant Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign,1986
  • B.S. Environmental Science, McPherson College, KS, 1984
Affiliated Department(s)

Department of Plant and Soil Science

Gund Institute for the Environment

Area(s) of expertise

  • Soil Ecology
  • Biological Indicators of Soil
  • Plant-Soil Interactions
  • Epidemiology of Root Pathogens

BIO

I am a soil ecologist with formal training in plant population ecology and plant pathology. I view nature as a model and am a question-driven researcher using population and community ecology approaches. My recent research focuses on biological communities in compost and their role in disease suppression by natural mechanisms. Throughout my career, I have published on topics of biological indicators of soil, ecotoxicology and biotechnology risk assessment, climate change and soil biological crusts, plant pathology and sustainable agriculture.

Courses


While my lab is no longer accepting new students, these are courses I have taught:

  • Plant Science Colloquium
  • Professional Development: Ecological Agriculture/ Sustainable Landscape Horticulture
  • Soil Ecology
  • Composting Ecology & Management 

Publications

My Bibliography

Awards and Achievements

  • Soil Ecology Society, Service Award, 2017
  • Ecological Society of America, Soil Ecology Section announces new Deborah A. Neher Career Award, 2015
  • HW Vogelmann Award for Excellence in Research & Scholarship, UVM, 2009
  • Gund Institute of the Environment Fellow
  • The Land Institute Board of Directors, Science Committee Chair

Bio

I am a soil ecologist with formal training in plant population ecology and plant pathology. I view nature as a model and am a question-driven researcher using population and community ecology approaches. My recent research focuses on biological communities in compost and their role in disease suppression by natural mechanisms. Throughout my career, I have published on topics of biological indicators of soil, ecotoxicology and biotechnology risk assessment, climate change and soil biological crusts, plant pathology and sustainable agriculture.

Courses


While my lab is no longer accepting new students, these are courses I have taught:

  • Plant Science Colloquium
  • Professional Development: Ecological Agriculture/ Sustainable Landscape Horticulture
  • Soil Ecology
  • Composting Ecology & Management 

Publications

My Bibliography

Awards and Achievements

  • Soil Ecology Society, Service Award, 2017
  • Ecological Society of America, Soil Ecology Section announces new Deborah A. Neher Career Award, 2015
  • HW Vogelmann Award for Excellence in Research & Scholarship, UVM, 2009
  • Gund Institute of the Environment Fellow
  • The Land Institute Board of Directors, Science Committee Chair
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Soil Health Research and Extension Center (SHREC)
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