Assistant Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and courtesy appointment in Global Health in the College of Public Health, uses RiboSyn, a new molecular biology method invented by Dr. Stroot, to measure the specific growth rate of distinct microbial populations in bioreactors. These measurements are used to evaluate novel bioprocesses for the treatment of diverse solid and liquid wastes.  He is one of four co-PIs of an $8 million Florida Center of Excellence for Biomolecular Identification and Targeted Therapeutics (FCoE-BITT). With support from the FCoE-BITT, Dr. Stroot works with faculty from across USF to tackle the problem of blood borne infections, the 10 th leading cause of death in the U.S.

His REU research projects include: 1) Identifying the true cause of filamentous bulking in activated sludge systems.  Students will operate sequencing batch reactors using synthetic and real wastewater and analyze samples by conventional, physical methods and fluorescence in situ hybridizations or FISH; and 2) High rate nitrification.  Students will operate sequencing batch reactors in various configurations for conventional biological nutrient removal system in order to evaluate the cost savings potential of utilizing a new high rate nitrification process.  Potential field samples include the South Cross Bayou Water Reclamation Facility, Lakeland Wastewater Treatment Plants, and the MOTE Aquaculture Research Park; and 3) Evaluation of metal and radionuclide redox biotransformations. In this project, students will assist in evaluating the role of growth of pure cultures of bacteria in the redox biotransformations of metals and radionuclides commonly found at DOE waste sites. Students will culture bacteria, measure redox biotransformations, and assist graduate students with RiboSyn evaluations.

More information: Dr. Stroot's website