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Dept of Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering University of Arizona 1177 E. Fourth Street Shantz Bldg #38, Room 403 Tucson, AZ 85721-0038 Phone: (520) 621-1753 Fax: (520) 621-3963 Email: abe@arizona.edu Maps: Campus | Tucson

Boesewetter, Dianne
Characterizing the Response of Lung Cell Cultures to Environmental Toxins

Kuwahara, Sara, S
Survival and persistence of potentially pathogenic microorganisms in a contained environment

Mondaca-Fernandez, Iram
Spectroscopy and Modelling Techniques to Quantification of Microorganisms in Biosolids

Boesewetter, Dianne
Advisor:  Dr. Mark Riley
Characterizing the Response of Lung Cell Cultures to Environmental Toxins

ABSTRACT:
Exposure to airborne particulate matter less than 10 um in aerodynamic diameter (PM10) has been associated with adverse respiratory health effects. The chemical composition of these particles, specifically heavy metal content, is a main determinant of toxicity. This project will evaluate how cells of the lung respond to environmental toxins, including metals and biological toxins, to determine which cellular metrics are most appropriate for use in monitoring schemes. As the cells are exposed to different stress environments, specific cellular responses will be studied to determine which provide the greatest sensitivity and specificity. These metrics include cell viability, metabolism, cell death, and cytokine secretion. These results will be incorporated into a proposed development of a biosensor to better evaluate health hazards of environmental toxins.

Kuwahara, Sara, S
Advisor:  Dr. Cuello
Survival and Persistence of Potentially Pathogenic Microorganisms in a Contained Environment

ABSTRACT:
The use of bioreactors in the treatment of wastewater in closed systems such as the International Space Station involves the establishment and upkeep of a viable population of microorganisms. There is potential for these microorganisms, both bacteria and viruses, to be pathogenic and for them to persist within the bioreactor. Their persistence and survival may pose health risks to the residents of the closed system. It is therefore important to determine the potential for microbial population establishment and survival within different bioreactor types and with varying microorganism populations. This study will determine the persistence of pathogenic microorganisms in two types of bioreactors at different reactor retention times and seeded microbial diversities.

Mondaca-Fernandez, Iram
Advisor:  Dr. Mark Riley
Spectroscopy and Modelling Techniques to Quantification of Microorganisms in Biosolids

ABSTRACT:
Biosolids are sewage sludges, product of primary and secondary treatments of wastewater. These biosolids are designated as class A or class B, depending on the concentrations of chemicals and pathogens that can affect human health. In this work, infrared spectroscopic methods to identify and quantify microorganisms present in biosolids will be developed and evaluated. Chemometrics data processing methods will be applied to correlate spectral features with structure components of microorganisms. These techniques are being proposed because infrared spectroscopy is non-invasive and has the potential to provide a rapid means to screen biosolids for the presence of quality indicator microorganisms in the field.