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Jennifer McElhoe

Associate Research Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Holland Lab)
Jennifer McElhoe
The Holland Lab

Education

  • Penn State University—University Park, Pennsylvania, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, August 2011.

     
  • Dissertation Title:“Spatial and Temporal Evaluation of Dechlorinating Populations During Crab Shell Enhanced Bioremediation.”

     
  • University of Florida—Gainesville, Florida

     
  • Master of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering Sciences (Hydrological Science Option), December 1998.

     
  • Thesis Title: “Stormwater Monitoring Program Design for the University of Florida Campus.”

     
  • Coastal Carolina University—Conway, South Carolina Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Science, May 1997.

 

Professional Experience

  • Instructor Marine Science, Coastal Carolina University,Spring 2003

     
  • Temporary instructor for MSCI 112 (origin and evolution of the marine environment), MSCI 111 Lab (intro to marine science), and MSCI 101 Lab (the sea).

     
  • Environmental Consultant, S&ME, Inc, 2000- 2003

     
  • Routinely completed wetland delineations, UST removals, pump and treat activities, air sparging activities, ground water assessment and monitoring, well surveys, risk assessments (CSR), and Phase II on site project managing of drilling, excavating, and remediation activities at chlorinated ethene and petroleum contaminated sites.

 

University Service

  • Committee Member: 14th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, April 2011.

     
  • Curriculum Mentor: Gee Wizards Science session. Science U summer camps. The Pennsylvania University, University Park, PA. July 2009.

     
  • Curriculum Mentor: Energy Crew session. Science U summer camps. The Pennsylvania University, University Park, PA. June 2009.

     
  • Workshop Presenter: The Cat’s Meow and Phases of Matter workshops. Graduate Research and Education in Advanced Transportation Technology (GREATT) Summer Teacher Workshop. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. August 2008.

     
  • Project Leader: Patterns and Evolution of Human Disease: Be an Epidemiologist. Women in Science and Engineering “Week Day Camp”. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. July 2008.

     
  • Project Leader: Patterns and Evolution of Human Disease: Be an Epidemiologist. Women in Science and Engineering “Residential Camp”. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. June 2008.

     
  • Volunteer Interactive Exhibit. Exploration Day 2008. HUB-Robeson Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. April 2008.

     
  • Judge: Pennsylvania Technology Student Association Region 8 Regional Competition. Penns Valley High School, Spring Mills, PA. February 2008.

     
  • Invited Workshop Presenter: Pollution Solutions, Being Responsible Environmental Stewards. Saturday Science Workshops for Teachers. Center for Science and the Schools, the Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. October 2007.

     
  • Workshop Presenter: Acid Rain and Groundwater Contamination workshops. Graduate Research and Education in Advanced Transportation Technology (GREATT) Summer Teacher Workshop. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. August 2007.

     
  • Project Leader: Soil Microbes: From the earth to the lab. Women in Science and Engineering “Week Day Camp”. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. July 2007.

     
  • Presenter: SciTech High summer program, Harrisburg, PA, July 2007. Page 2 of 5

 

Publications / Presentations

  • Workshop Presenter: Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars. 12th annual Super Science Saturday. Juniata Gap Elementary Q-site, Altoona, PA. March 2007.

     
  • Penn State Team Member (1st place): Iron Scientist Competition. National Science Foundation GK-12 annual Meeting, Washington, DC. March 2007.

     
  • Judge: Pennsylvania Technology Student Association Region 8 Regional Competition. Park Forest Middle School, State College, PA. February 2007.

     
  • Volunteer Science Content Tutor: Preservice Teachers lesson in SciEd 458. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. November 2006.

     
  • Member, Selection Committee: 1st annual Women in Science and Engineering Recognition Awards. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA. April 2006.

 

Honors and Awards

  • Recipient, Teaching Assistantship (Fall 2009 to Spring 2011)

     
  • Recipient, NSF Graduate Teaching Fellowship in K-12 Education DGE-0338240 (Fall 2006 to Spring 2008)

     
  • Recipient, Cecil M. Pepperman Memorial Graduate Fellowship (summer 2005 & summer 2006)

     
  • Recipient, Research Assistantship (Fall 2005 to Spring 2006)

     
  • Recipient, Teaching Assistant Scholarship (Spring 2005)

     
  • Recipient, Research Assistant Scholarship (Spring 2004 to Fall 2004)

     
  • Recipient, Graduate Scholarship (Fall 1997 to Summer 1998)

     
  • Recipient, Teaching Assistant Scholarship (Fall 1998)

     
  • Recipient Sigma Xi Honor Society Best Undergraduate Research

     
  • Inducted member Sigma Zeta National Honor Society

 

Selected Publications

  • J.A. McElhoe and R.A. Brennan. Spatial and Temporal Abundance of Dehalococcoides Spp. and Reductive Dehalogenases During Transition Periods of TCE-degradation in Continuous-flow Columns. Submitted to Applied and Environmental Microbiology.

     
  • J.A.McElhoe and R.A. Brennan. 2012. Effects of Chitin Purity and Proppant Loading on the Bioremediation of Chloroethenes. Journal of Environmental Engineering. 138(8), 862-872.

     
  • J.A. McElhoe and R.A. Brennan. 2011. Evaluation of Hydrogen Competition in a Reductively Dechlorinating System through FISH Analysis. Poster Presentation. 14th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium. The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.

     
  • Clemons, J. and J.A. McElhoe. 2008. Hydrogen Fuel Cell Cars. Platform Presentation. 56th Annual Technology Education Association of Pennsylvania (TEAP) Conference. Camp Hill, PA.

     
  • McElhoe, J.A., and R.A. Brennan. 2008. Spatial and Temporal Quantification of Multiple Dehalococcoides Strains throughout the Stages of Reductive TCE Dechlorination. Platform Presentation. Remediation of Chlorinated and Recalcitrant Compounds Sixth International Conference, Monterey, CA.

     
  • McElhoe, J.A., and R.A. Brennan. 2008. Chemical & Molecular Analysis of TCE-dechlorinating Consortia with Chitin as an Electron Donor. Platform presentation. Kappe Environmental Engineering Seminar Series, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.

     
  • McElhoe, J.A., and R.A. Brennan. 2008. Chemical & Molecular Characterization throughout the Course of Chitin-Enhanced TCE Dechlorination. Platform presentation 2nd place. 10th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.

     
  • Cossey, K.N., Curtis, N., McElhoe, J.A., and D. Haworth. 2008. Grad Students & Teachers Work Together to Introduce Fundamental

     
  • STEM Concepts to K-12. Poster presentation. The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting, Boston, MA.

     
  • McElhoe, J.A., and R.A. Brennan. 2007. Evaluation of Dynamic Chemical Gradients during the Course of Trichloroethene Remediation using a Fermentable Substrate. Poster presentation. In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Ninth International Symposium, Baltimore, MD.

     
  • McElhoe, J.A., and R.A. Brennan. 2007. Spatial and Temporal Evaluation of Changing Chemical Gradients in the Presence of TCE and a Fermentable Substrate. Poster presentation. Twenty-second annual Graduate Exhibition, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.

     
  • Cossey, K.N., Curtis, N., Hamblin, B., McElhoe, J.A., and D. Haworth. 2007. Advanced Transportation Technologies: An Interdisciplinary Vehicle for Teaching STEM to the K-12 Community. Poster Presentation. National Science Foundation GK-12 Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

     
  • Curtis, N., Earnheart, K., Hamblin, B. and J.A. McElhoe. 2007. Iron Scientist: Fighting Forces. National Science Foundation GK-12 Annual Meeting, Washington, D.C.

     
  • Pomeroy, L.W., Hamblin, B.C., and J.A. McElhoe. 2007. GREATT: The Penn State NSF GK-12 Project. Poster presentation. The Pennsylvania Transportation Institute in the College of Engineering Student Research Showcase at the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

     
  • McElhoe, J.A., and R.A. Brennan. 2006. Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Dehalococcoides ethenogenes Strains BAV1, FL2 and GT in the Presence of TCE and a Fermentable Substrate. Platform presentation. Kappe Environmental Engineering Seminar Series, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.

     
  • McElhoe, J.A., and R.A. Brennan. 2005. Assessment of Chitin Purity and Mass Loading on the Bioremediation of Trichloroethene. Manuscript in preparation for Bioremediation Journal.

     
  • McElhoe, J.A., and R.A. Brennan. 2005. Optimization of Chitin Grade and Mass Loading for Chloroethene Bioremediation. Poster presentation. In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Eighth International Symposium, Baltimore, MD.

     
  • McElhoe, J.A., and R.A. Brennan. 2005. Optimization of Chitin Grade and Mass Loading for Chloroethene Bioremediation. Poster presentation. 8th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA.
  • McElhoe, J., B. Pickup, W. Anderson, and S. Libes. 1997. The Waccamaw River: Results from Year 2 of a Long-term Water Quality Monitoring Program. Platform presentation 1st place. South Carolina Academy of Science Meeting, Columbia, SC.