The academic community in Alabama is mourning the loss of Dr. Ketia Shumaker, a devoted biology and environmental science educator whose impact went far beyond the classroom.
News of Ketia Shumaker’s death has sparked an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, students, and friends who remember her as a caring mentor, supportive colleague, and passionate teacher.
At the time of her passing, Dr. Shumaker served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
She taught courses in introductory biology, environmental science, plant genetics, and environmental toxicology, inspiring students to see science as more than just facts — she helped them see it as a way to understand the world around them.
Raised in Reform, Mississippi, Dr. Shumaker developed a love for science early on. As a child, she spent afternoons watching science education programs and playing teacher — a hobby that would become her lifelong passion.
Her academic path led her to Alcorn State University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology, and later to Jackson State University, where she completed a Ph.D. in environmental science with a focus on phytoremediation.
Along the way, she took part in internships at Baylor College of Medicine/Rice University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Mississippi’s Ronald E. McNair Scholar Program, and was a recipient of the Gates Millennium Scholarship.
Her research focused on phytoremediation, hardwood tree genomics, and dendroclimatology. She worked with colleagues at Pennsylvania State University and Virginia Tech on collaborative studies, publishing research while mentoring undergraduate students in the lab.
Before joining UAB, Dr. Shumaker spent 16 years teaching at the University of West Alabama in Livingston, Alabama. She was a tenure-track faculty member who taught undergraduate and graduate courses in biology, environmental science, toxicology, and plant science.
Her role went beyond teaching; she served as a faculty marshal and built meaningful relationships with both students and colleagues. In 2020, she moved to the Greater Birmingham area, became a foster parent, and worked as an adjunct biology instructor at Samford University before returning to a full-time faculty position at UAB.
Following her passing, colleagues shared heartfelt memories of Dr. Shumaker. Natasha Satcher Bell, who worked closely with her at UWA, recalled how they shared the same building, lived in the same apartment complex, and served together as faculty marshals.
“Our conversations would drift anywhere — from work to life, from lighthearted laughter to serious talks,” Bell said. She also highlighted Dr. Shumaker’s kindness toward students: “You didn’t just teach them — you supported them, encouraged them, and believed in them. They were never just names on a roster.”
Bell shared a particularly touching memory of Dr. Shumaker bringing her chicken noodle soup when she was sick during her first year at UWA. “It wasn’t just the soup; it was the care behind it,” she said. “You will forever be remembered. Rest well, my friend.”
Outside the classroom, Dr. Shumaker enjoyed simple joys like horseback riding, shopping, and watching movies. She dedicated herself to her students, her research, and her colleagues, leaving a mark on everyone she encountered.
Her passing leaves a deep sense of loss in the academic community, but the students she taught, the research she contributed to, and the colleagues she supported will carry on her legacy for years to come.
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