We are saddened to announce the passing of Prolific Earth Science’s founder and our beloved friend, Dr. Judy Fitzpatrick on June 26th, 2022 after a four year battle with cancer.

A microbiologist and immunologist, known professionally as Dr. Fitzpatrick, Judy received a PhD in immunochemistry at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She then started a medical diagnostic company, Serex. After selling Serex, Judy taught microbiology at Bergen Community College. A dedicated and passionate professor, she was beloved by the student body. In the last few days of her life, she received countless calls and emails from former students, and others she had encouraged and supported, a testament to the many lives she had touched.

While at Bergen, content and busy with teaching but unable to stop her fast and furious brain from doing what it did best, she began developing her legacy invention, the microBIOMETER®, a soil test for microbial biomass and fungal-to-bacterial ratio which helps farmers determine the health of their soil.

When not researching or tinkering in the lab, Judy loved playing tennis, spending time with her loved ones and ending each day having dinner with her husband, Tom.

She is survived by the family she built: her husband, three daughters, and her seven grandchildren. On June 25th, her 14th patent for fungal-to-bacterial ratio arrived at her laboratory.

Judy’s passion for soil health was inspiring to all who knew her. As we grieve this terrible loss, we are determined to honor her memory by continuing the work that was so important to her.