Alice Benzecry

Professor of Biology / Microbiology, Department of Biological Sciences

Contact Information

Courses

• Microbiology for the Health Sciences
• General Microbiology
• Advance Microbiology
• Aquatic/Marine
• Vegetation
• Selective Studies in Biology
• Advance Research in Biology
• Research Experience

Research

• Plants antimicrobial activities and their possible source of antibiotics (drug discovery)
• Collaboration on the creation of antimicrobial nanoparticulates
• Salt marshes and tidal wetlands and their importance in protecting us from natural disasters
• Paleobotany – seagrasses

Education

• BS, Eckerd College

• PhD, City University of NY (CUNY)

Academic Profile

As a native of the Amazon Region of Brazil, I became curious about plants and their environment. I also learned about human health and how microbes found in the environment could affect our lives.  Many communities use their available plant resources not only as a source of food and natural products but also as medicines.  I am currently conducting research related to the relationship between plants’ antimicrobial activities and their possible source of antibiotics (drug discovery) as well as the creation of antimicrobial nanoparticulates to be used in the cosmetic and food industry.

Living on the east coast of the United States gave me the opportunity to further study coastal vegetation.  My collaboration with colleagues at the New Jersey Meadowlands Research Institute, New York and Delaware Parks Departments, and the United State Geological Survey (USGS) agencies help me become a specialist on salt marshes and tidal wetlands and their importance in protecting us from natural disasters.  My continued involvement with those agencies has resulted in several research papers. 

As a Civiliti.org  volunteer and advisor, I have also collaborated with several EcoArtists. 

As a full-time Biology/Microbiology professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, I have dedicated my time to teach and prepare students for their careers in Biology, Microbiology, and Health Care Sciences including future physicians, dentists, veterinarians, nurses, pharmacists, health care technicians, and others. My involvement with students, staff members, and colleagues goes beyond the classroom. I am currently serving as an FDU representative at United Nations CoNGO Committee on Sustainable Development. I am the chair of the Green Campus Committee and a member of the Sustainability Taskforce. I am also the advisor for the Metropolitan Campus student GREEN Club.