Education
PhD, University of Florida
MS, University of Florida
BA, Trinity University
Biography
Deborah Kennard, PhD, received her Bachelor of Arts in biology from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas and went on to earn both her Master of Science and PhD in botany from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fla. An associate professor of environmental science and technology, Kennard teaches Introduction to Environmental Science, Global Sustainability, Ecosystem Management, Fire Ecology, Fire Management, Forest Ecology and the capstone course.
Most of her courses involve outdoor labs that engage students in the scientific method while they learn about local resource issues. She conducts research in old-growth piñon-juniper woodlands examining the role that cheat grass may play in altering the historical fire regime in these unique systems. She also conducts research on the vegetational changes caused by widespread tamarisk mortality due to the tamarisk leaf beetle, a bio-control agent released in 2006.