Bonnie Baxter, Ph.D

FULL-TIME Faculty
Professor

Phone: 801.832.2345

Email: bbaxter@westminsteru.edu

Office Location: Meldrum Science Center 378

Degrees

Ph.D. U North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Ph.D. Univ North Carolina Chapel Hl
B.S. Elon University


Learn More About Bonnie

About

Dr. Baxter studies the photobiology of halophiles (salt-tolerant bacteria) and microbial diversity of Great Salt Lake (GSL)with her undergraduate students. She is interested in the astrobiology applications of extremely hypersaline ecosystems, in particular resistance to ultraviolet light and desiccation by halophiles. Recently her students have been engaged in projects involving ancient biomolecules in salt, microbial composition of GSL stromatolites, and lake microbial mercury methylation. Dr. Baxter is also dedicated to integration of research in undergraduate science education and to outreach efforts that inspire learning and stewardship. She is also engaged in efforts to support underrepresented groups in STEM fields. All of these interests merge in her role as Director of Great Salt Lake Institute.

Interests

Astrobiology, Extremophile Microbiology, DNA Damage and Repair, Microbial Diversity of Great Salt Lake, Biogeochemistry


Bonnie Baxter