Tracy W. Keener is currently an Biology Instructor at the University of West Alabama in the College of Biology and Environmental Sciences in Livingston, Alabama.  Mrs. Keener received her M.A.T. in Comprehensive Science from the University of West Alabama in 2001.  Her current research focus is tick borne diseases in the Black Belt region of Alabama.   Particularly, she is currently investigating the species diversity, prevalence, and specific blood borne pathogens they may carry.

       Mrs. Keener teaches Immunology, Hematology, Applied Microbiology and Anatomy & Physiology labs.  She has recently worked in a hospital environment supervising Transfusion Medicine, Coagulation, and Urinalysis.  She also currently serves as a Technical Consultant and Transfusion Safety Officer for a Heath System in Meridian, Mississippi.

Immunology, Hematology, Anatomy & Physiology, Applied Microbiology

Infectious and Emerging Diseases

Tick borne pathogens of the Black Belt region in Alabama

• Houston, Latigra S., Tracy W. Duckworth, Tiffany Simmons, & John McCall.  “Differences in the rate of cavity development among breast-fed children versus bottle-fed children.”  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Livingston, Alabama, 26 March 2009.
• McCoy, Domoneek & Tracy W. Duckworth.  “Assessment of parasitic infection in feral cats (Felis catus) in Sumter County, Alabama.”  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Livingston, Alabama.  26 March 2009.
• McCoy, Domoneek & Tracy W. Duckworth.  “Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in feral cats (Felis catus) in Sumter County, Alabama.”  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Livingston, Alabama.  26 March 2009.
• Ross, Daniel L. & Tracy W. Duckworth.  “A summer on the zone diet.”  Poster presented at the annual meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Livingston, Alabama.  26 March 2009.
• Tighe, Carlin, Tracy W. Duckworth & John McCall.  “Occurrences of Borrelia species in host-seeking ticks in western Alabama.”  Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Alabama Academy of Science, Livingston, Alabama.  26 March 2009.
• McCoy, Domoneek & Tracy W. Duckworth.  “Assessment of parasitic infection in feral cats (Felis catus) in Sumter County, Alabama.”  Poster presented at the regional Tri-Beta session at the annual meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, Birmingham, Alabama, 3 April 2009.
• Tighe, Carlin, Tracy W. Duckworth & John McCall.  “Occurrences of Borrelia species in host-seeking ticks in western Alabama.”  Paper presented at the regional Tri-Beta session at the annual meeting of the Association of Southeastern Biologists, Birmingham, Alabama, 3 April 2009.

• 2008 - $3500.00, Tombigbee Resource Conservation and Development Council Grant
• 2008 - $1000.00, Teaching Excellence Grant, The University of West Alabama
• 2007 - $1728.00, Tombigbee Resource Conservation and Development Council Grant
• 2005 - $1000.00, Teaching Excellence Grant, The University of West Alabama