Research
General Areas of Interest:
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Biological wastewater and water treatment
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Microbial ecology of wastewater and water treatment systems
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Wastewater-based epidemiology for monitoring human pathogens
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Environmental synthetic biology
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Resource recovery from wastewater (energy, water, nutrients, chemicals)
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Sustainability assessments to guide design and implementation of treatment and recovery systems
Wastewater-Based Epidemiology
The Stadler lab works closely with the Houston Health Department in order to monitor multiple viral targets on a weekly basis across treatment plants, schools, shelters, nursing homes, and lift stations.
Current targets:
SARS-CoV-2
Influenza A
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Antibiotic Resistant Genes
Enteric Viruses
Environmental Synthetic Biology
Developing solutions to environmental challenges such as climate change, sustainable management of natural resources, provision of clean water, and reduction of pollution.
Current Projects:
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Developing biosensors for measuring horizontal gene transfer in situ
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Microbiome engineering for bioremediation and resource recovery
Fate of Antibiotic Resistance in Resource
Recovery Processes
Resistance to commonly used antibiotics is an issue potentially caused by widespread use of antibiotics for maintaining human health and improving food production. Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) are associated with this resistance and their fate in water resource recovery facilities is an important area of research.
Current Projects:
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Assessing treatment strategies to reduce exposures to antibiotic resistant microorganisms and genes
Integrated Water Management
Combining biological, mechanical, operational, and chemical components for the development of effective water treatment methodologies.
Current Projects:
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Developing quantitative modeling tools for design and performance assessment of integrated water management systems
Resource Recovery from Food Waste
Waste streams are becoming important sources for energy and resource recovery. Organic wastes and residues are potential resources that can be utilized to supply chemicals, nutrients, and fuels needed by mankind.
Current Projects:
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Valorizing food waste organics via conversion to high value chemicals
