The academic community mourns the passing of Ketia Shumaker, a dedicated educator and passionate scientist who made lasting contributions to biology and environmental science.
Shumaker’s death leaves a profound void at The University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she inspired countless students with her expertise and enthusiasm.
Born and raised in the small town of Reform, Mississippi, Shumaker discovered her love for science early.
Between the ages of six and ten, she spent her after-school hours watching educational science programs and imagining herself as a teacher.
This early passion guided her academic journey through Alcorn State University, where she earned her B.S. and M.S. in Biology, and Jackson State University, where she completed her Ph.D. in Environmental Science with a focus on phytoremediation.
Shumaker’s career spanned decades of teaching and research. She served as a tenure-track faculty member at The University of West Alabama for 16 years, teaching undergraduate and graduate students in biology, environmental science, toxicology, and plant genetics.
Her research included studies in hardwood tree genomics, dendroclimatology, and phytoremediation, often conducted in collaboration with colleagues from Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Tech.
Shumaker also mentored numerous undergraduate interns, fostering the next generation of scientists.
In 2020, Shumaker relocated to the Greater Birmingham area, where she continued her teaching at Samford University as an adjunct instructor before joining The University of Alabama at Birmingham as a full-time faculty member.
Beyond the classroom, she opened her heart as a foster parent and found joy in horseback riding, shopping, and spending time immersed in nature.
Shumaker’s death marks the loss of a remarkable educator whose dedication, kindness, and scientific curiosity left a lasting impact on students, colleagues, and the broader academic community.
She will be remembered not only for her achievements in the sciences but for the inspiration she provided to all who had the privilege of learning from her.
