Dr. Michelle Brassett Jenson

• Position: Instructor
• Department: Biology
• Office Location: Building 58, Room 064
• mjenson@uwf.edu
• Campus: 850.474.3204

Biography

Dr. Michelle Jenson is a dedicated instructor in the Department of Biology. She holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Ph.D. in Biology from Louisiana State University, where she developed a strong foundation in molecular biology and genetics. Following her doctoral studies in microbial antibiotic resistance, she completed postdoctoral research at the prestigious Pennington Biomedical Research Center, focusing on molecular mechanisms of genetic obesity in the fa/fa rat model. Her research has been published in peer-reviewed journal Obesity Research and The FASEB Journal.

Dr. Jenson teaches a range of undergraduate courses, including Molecular Biology, General Biology for Majors, Forensic Biology, and multiple laboratory-based courses. She is passionate about student mentorship and actively involves both undergraduates and graduates in directed study projects.

Before joining academia, Dr. Jenson applied her expertise in molecular biology as a forensic DNA analyst, gaining hands-on experience in criminal casework and DNA profiling. Her work in forensic biology strengthened her technical skills and inspired her to bring real-world applications of molecular biology into the classroom. She has designed and enjoys teaching BSC4401L, a specialized forensic biology lecture-laboratory course in which students process mock crime scene evidence and obtain DNA profiles using state-of-the-art technology.

Degrees & Institutions

BS and PhD, Louisiana State University

Research

Dr. Jenson's past research includes antibiotic resistance in enteric organisms, and genetic obesity in fa/fa rats. Her peer-reviewed work has been published in Obesity Research and The FASEB Journal. Current directed study topics include forensic DNA analysis of degraded samples and exploring use of human microbiome in forensic identification.

Publications

1. H. Dong, Y. Wang, M. Jenson, H. Braymer, and D. York. "Differences in binding of hepatic nuclear proteins from lean and obese rats to the 5’-upstream region of tyrosine aminotransferase." Obesity Research 5: 208-217 (1997).

2. M. Jenson, G. Kilroy, D. York, and H. Braymer. "Abnormal regulation of hepatic nuclear proteins from lean and obese rats to the 5'-upstream region of tyrosine aminotransferase." Obesity Research 4: 133-143 (1996). 3. York D.A., M. Jenson, and H.D. Braymer. Overexpression of glucocorticoid type II receptor in the Zucker obese (fa/fa) rat. FASEB J. 9(3): A582, 1995.