Our research encompasses the characterization and optimization of photochemical and chemical oxidation processes for engineered applications such as drinking water purification and wastewater reclamation (with particular emphasis on disinfection processes), as well as the characterization of (photo)chemical processes responsible for driving redox transformations of various organic and inorganic contaminants in natural and human-impacted environmental systems.

Specific examples of our research include: (i) characterization of transformation kinetics, mechanisms, and pathways during exposure of tire rubber-derived organic contaminants to airborne oxidants and sunlight on roadway-associated environmental surfaces, (ii) investigation of the sunlight-driven photolysis of aqueous chlorine - an in situ source of reactive oxygen species and ozone - as a novel means for achieving inactivation of chlorine-resistant pathogens during conventional drinking water treatment; (iii) characterization of the fate of transmissible bacterial antibiotic resistance genes during water, wastewater, and healthcare disinfection processes; (iv) examination of the roles that photochemical and ozone-driven production of reactive halogen species play in driving carbon cycling and organohalogen production at the ocean surface; and (v) sunlight-driven photocatalytic synthesis of free chlorine for decentralized and point-of-use disinfection.

Our work is highly interdisciplinary by its nature - drawing heavily on principles in chemistry, microbiology, public health, and physical-chemical process engineering. Collaboration with partners in these areas is an integral part of our approach, and we are always glad to hear from colleagues or potential students with an interest in crossing traditional boundaries.

If you would like to learn more about us and our research, please have a look through the web site, and feel free to contact us for more information.

CEE Home                                                                                                                                           UW Home