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. Through 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.
Deborah Neher
Publications
Neher, D.A., Limoges, M., Weicht, T.R., Sharma, M., Millner, P.D., and Donnelly, C. 2020. Bacterial community dynamics distinguish poultry compost from dairy compost and non-amended soils planted with spinach. Microorganisms 2020, 8(10), 1601; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms8101601 (OpenAccess)
Porterfield, K.K.†, Joblin, R., Neher, D.A., Curtis, M., Dvorak, S., Rizzo, D.M., Faulkner, J.W. and Roy, E.D. 2020. Upcycling phosphorus recovered from anaerobically digested dairy manure to support production for vegetables and flowers. Sustainability 12:1139. doi: 10.3390/su12031139
O’Brien, B.J.†, Neher, D.A., and Roy, E.D. 2019. Nutrient and pathogen suppression properties of anaerobic digestates from dairy manure and food waste feedstocks. Waste and Biomass Valorization doi:10.1007/s12649-019-00906-4
Neher, D.A. and Barbercheck, M.E. 2019. Soil microarthropods and soil health: Intersection of decomposition and pest suppression. Special issue on “Elucidating the Role of Soil Arthropods in Soil Health”, Insects 10(12):414. doi: 10.3390/insects10120414
Andrews, T.†, Neher, D.A., Weicht, T.R., and Barlow, J.W. 2019. Mammary microbiome of lactating organic dairy cows varies by time, tissue site, and infection status. PloS ONE 14(11): e0225001. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0225001
Neher, D.A., Weicht, T.R., Bates, S.T., Leff, J.W., and Fierer, N. (2013) Changes in bacterial and fungal communities across compost recipes, preparation methods, and composting times. PloS ONE 8 (11): e79512. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0079512
Awards and Recognition
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
Associations and Affiliations
Chair, Department of Plant and Soil Science, UVM (2004-2018)
Gund Institute For the Environment Affiliate
Organization of Nematologists of Tropical America, President (2017-2018)
Soil Ecology Society (1993-present)
Society of Nematologists (1996-present)
Ecological Society of America (1986-present)
Areas of Expertise and/or Research
Soil Ecology, biological indicators of soil, plant-soil interactions, epidemiology of root pathogens
Education
- 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
Contact
Email:
Phone:
- (802) 656-0474
Office Location:
350 Jeffords Hall
Office Hours:
By appointment
Website(s):
Courses Taught
PSS 301 Plant Science Colloquium
PSS 281 Professional Development: Eco Ag/ Sust Lndsc Hrt
PSS 268 / NR 268 Soil Ecology
PSS 154. Composting Ecology & Mgmt.