Group Members
Valdis Krumins
Post-Doctoral Associate
Phone: 732-932-9800 ext
6122
Fax: 732-932-8644
Email:
Research: I am interested in integrating molecular microbiology with environmental engineering design and control; in particular, how to apply these tools to bioremediation and wastewater treatment processes. The primary focus of my current project is biostimulation or bioaugmentation to increase dechlorination of dioxins, PCBs, and chlorinated pesticides in contaminated sediments. These experiments range in scale from microcosm to pilot field trials. I am also involved in a project examining ways to generate biofuel from horse waste and in the design of bioreactors for testing the viability of airborne bacteria.
Eun-Kyeu Son
Ph.D. Student
M.S.
1999 Agricultural Chemistry,
B.S.
1997 Agricultural Chemistry,
Phone: 732-932-9800 ext 6806
Fax: 732-932-8644
Email:
Research:
My research interest focuses on microbial characterization and analysis of
environmental samples using molecular techniques. Currently, I am involved
in two projects; 1) characterization and identification of enrichment
cultures developed from the groundwater and sediments which were drawn
from a tetrachloroethylene (PCE)-contaminated aquifer and 2)
determination of whether bacteria
are capable of growing in while in bioaerosols.
Jennifer Loudon
Ph.D. Student
B.S. 2005 Marine Sciences, Rutgers University
Phone: 732-932-9800 ext 6806
Fax: 732-932-8644
Email: jloudon@aesop.rutgers.edu
Research: My research focuses on using a multi-prong approach to characterizing the microbiology of a landfill system. I am working on developing microbial community profiles for the leachate as well as the landfill solids using culture-independent molecular methods. The primary microbial interest is in bacteria capable of nitrogen transformation and
archaeal methanogens. The other branch of my landfill research involves toxicity analysis of the leachate.
Using zebrafish
(Danio rerio) as a model organism, I am using morphological findings as well as molecular
analyses to ascertain the mode and extent of toxicity.
David Babson
Ph.D. Student
B.S.
2004 Chemical Engineering,
University
of
M.S. 2006 Chemical & Biochemical Engineering,
Rutgers
University, New Brunswick, NJ
Phone: 413-221-2609
Email: babson@rci.rutgers.edu
Research: My interests include biofuel processes and system energy optimization analysis. My project involves study of the Burlington County Resource Recovery Complex (BCRRC), which operates an active bioreactor landfill, in conjunction with the Rutgers EcoComplex, and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES). I am analyzing operational data, identifying lacking data sets, and carrying out fundamental research in order to optimize the bioreactor landfill operation. Specific focus has been placed on optimizing natural methane generation for energy recovery as well the fate of nitrogen species byproducts produced during waste decomposition. Additionally, laboratory scale bioreactor studies are being conducted to characterize Anammox processes in bioreactor landfill systems, and to delineate possible tradeoffs between nitrogen generation via Anammox and methane generation via methanogenesis.
Yun Li
Ph.D. Student
B.E. 2004 Environmental Engineering, Tianjin University, China
Phone:
732-932-9800 ext 6806
Fax: 732-932-8644
Email: yunli@envsci.rutgers.edu
Research:
My research focuses on
development of combined techniques for physical-chemical-biological
treatment of 4-chloroaniline (PCA) and aniline. I am interested in biodegradation of aniline and PCA under different redox
conditions; chemical oxidation of aniline and PCA with persulfate; the effect
of enhanced dechlorination for PCA and the anaerobic degradation of
aniline daughter product; and optimizing an in situ treatment approach for
aniline and PCA in the context of rates, effectiveness and compatibility
with treatment of co-contaminants.
Brian Wartell
M.S. Student
B.S. 2007 Brandeis University
Phone:
Email: bwartell@eden.rutgers.edu
Research: My research project focuses on bioenergy production through the anaerobic digestion of horse waste and the effect of softwood bedding on the microbial process.
William Zupko
Middlesex County Community College - New Jersey Star
Research: My research involves PCB dechlorination in sediments and effect of nanoparticles on dechlorinating bacteria.
Bryan Schwab
Bioenvironmental Engineering Undergraduate
Research: My research projects focuses on (1) bioenergy production through the anaerobic digestion of horse waste and the effect of stall bedding on the digestion process and (2) recovering bacteria from air.
Kathleen Kang
Bioenvironmental Engineering Undergraduate
Research: My research project focuses on (1) bioenergy production via the anaerobic digestion of horse waste and other waste biomass and (2) biotransformation of aniline and parachloroaniline.
Former
Fang Liu, Ph.D. 2007
Currently postdoctoral associate at Cornell University
B.S.
1999 Environmental Engineering, Tsinghua University,
Beijing, China
Email:
Research:
I am
investigating
the biotransformation of persistent organic pollutants in the environment,
such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins
and dibenzofurans.
Graduate Students
Fang Liu (Ph.D. 2007) (Postdoctoral Associate at Cornell)
Wen Liu (M.S. 2007)
Matthew Giacalone (M.S. 2005)
Undergraduate Students
Amgelica Cardone (Environmental Sciences)
Jeffrey Alt (Bioenvironmental Engineering)
Robin George (Biochemical Engineering)
Jenna Ciano (Biological Sciences)
Jillian Thompson (Bioenvironmental Engineering)
Alexandra Caluseriu (Bioenvironmental Engineering)
Kevin D’Egidio (Bioenvironmental Engineering)
Dannielle Amari (Bioenvironmental Engineering)
Christopher Hopp (Chemistry)
High School Students
Yanting Wang (Cornell)
Bryan Schwab (Rutgers)
Stacy Ng (Cornell)