The current major areas of research are (i) bioenergy, (ii) biological nutrient removal during wastewater treatment, and (iii) fundamental studies of DNA/RNA hybridizations in whole cells and bioinformatics.
Awards, Honors And Societies
2010 - Fair Distinguished Engineering Educator Award, Water Environment Federation.
2010 - Bill Boyle Educator of the Year, Central States Water Environment Association.
2010 - Wisconsin Distinguished Professorship, University of Wisconsin System.
2006 - Wisconsin Water Association (WWA) Research Award.
2005 - Paul L. Busch Award, Water Environment Research Foundation.
2004 - Harrison Prescott Eddy Medal, Water Environment Federation, with Sean Chaparro.
2004 - American Water Works Association (AWWA) Publications Award, with Greg Harrington, Alicia Kandou, and David van Hoven.
2004 - American Water Works Association (AWWA) Engineering & Construction Division Best Paper Award, with Greg Harrington, Alicia Kandou, and David van Hoven.
2003 - American Water Works Association (AWWA) Academic Achievement Award for Best Ph.D. Thesis, with John M. Regan.
2002 - Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) Distinguished Service Award.
2002 - Vilas Associate of the Graduate School, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
2000 - American Water Works Association (AWWA) Academic Achievement Award for Best MS Thesis, with Patrick Oldenburg.
2000 - James M. Montgomery and Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) M.S. Thesis Award, with Patrick Oldenburg.
1999 - National Science Foundation CAREER Award.
1997 - Samuel C. Johnson Distinguished Fellowship.
1992 - James M. Montgomery and Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP) M.S. Thesis Award, with Bruce E. Rittmann.