James Christenson

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James Christenson

Email: chrjam@bethel.edu

Job title

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Dr. Christenson has a passion for the application of biochemistry to solve real world problems. He received his PhD from the University of Minnesota’s Biotechnology Institute in the laboratory of Dr. Larry Wackett. Following graduation, he accepted a faculty position at Bethel University and enjoys teaching biochemistry courses and supervising undergraduate researchers. He studied abroad in Germany as an intern with BASF and in Switzerland as a sabbatical researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag). His research group works to understand and apply biochemical solutions to real world problems. In addition to collaborations with local companies, projects focus on the enzymatic degradation of emerging pollutants with a particular interest in the environmental fate of newly developed compounds from the pharmaceutical, agricultural, or industrial sectors.

Started at Bethel

2017

Education

  • Bethel University - B.S. in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Chemistry, 2012
  • University of Minnesota - Ph.D. in Biochemistry, 2017

Biography

I enjoyed science as a kid; wiring simple circuits, building telescopes with PVC pipes, and mixing whatever chemicals my parents would allow were regular summertime activities.  In college, I was fascinated by the order and intricacies of the cellular world and decided to pursue a career in Biochemistry.    I met his wife Genna in college and we have four daughters.

Publications

  • Schärer, M. R.; Yu, Y.; Grawe, A.; Christenson, J. K.; Robinson, S. L.; Bokulich, N. A. Laccase-Mediated Biotransformation Potential for Fluorinated Compounds by Geographically Diverse Human Gut Microbiota. mBio 2026. https://doi.org/10.1128/mbio.01026-26.
  • Ronnander, M.; Dodge, A. G.; O’Neal, E.; Pauls, C.; Hanson, J.; Christenson, J. K.; Wackett, L. P. Continuous Spectrophotometric Assay for Defluorinase and Dechlorinase Activities With α-Halocarboxylic Acids. PubMed 2025, 18 (8), e70216–e70216. https://doi.org/10.1111/1751-7915.70216.
  • Kubas, L.; Swenson, A.; Penn, S.; Christenson, K.; Tjepkes, J.; Ziegenfuss, J. Y.; Aga, R. C.; Christenson, J. New Shine on an Old Habit: A Pilot Study on a Glow Soap Faucet System. Journal of Hospital Infection 2025, 164, 51–54. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2025.07.016.

Quote

“He is no fool who gives away what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot