Research Themes
Pathogen Inactivation
One of the main objectives of water treatment is to lower the acute health risks associated with pathogens through disinfection. Our goal is to understand how alternative disinfectants inactivate pathogens, and which disinfectant species drive inactivation. This can help us develop disinfection strategies that efficiently minimize acute health risks.
Contaminants of Emerging Concern
Contaminants of emerging concern are organic compounds that occur at trace levels in water and cause chronic health risks. Our lab is especially interested in disinfection byproducts, which are probable carcinogens that form when water is disinfected for pathogen control. Our goal is to understand how humans are exposed to disinfection byproducts, which disinfection byproducts are of immediate concern, and how we can lower the chronic health risks associated with these contaminants.
Emerging Technologies
Our team identifies emerging technologies that have the potential to lower water treatment costs. Engineering controls can lower both the chronic and acute health risks associated with impaired water supplies. Our goal is to integrate promising technologies into water treatment to improve water sustainability and safety.