Recently, my research work has been in the area of bioremediation of recalcitrant compounds in soil and water. My research assesses the bioremediation of two herbicides found in highly contaminated soil from an agrichemical mix-load site utilizing the enzyme system of the white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium. I have also been developing an isolated microbial consortium that can degrade the pesticides as well. My research focuses on the development of in situ field techniques that incorporate these bioremediation processes.

Other research interests are in water quality and waste management and the interaction of the two. In the water quality research program, I have been concerned with the movement of pesticides and nutrients in agronomic practices. Specifically, I have assessed the effect of tillage systems, irrigation practices, soil amendments, and cropping systems on ground water quality as well as movement of pesticides and nutrients within the soil. My undergraduate background is in agronomy, soils and soil chemistry. Past water quality research examined the impact of land use on surface water quality.

I am directly involved in the analytical laboratory where a variety of sample matrices are analyzed for pesticides, nutrients, metals and bacteria. My expertise related to this discipline is in analytical chemistry, laboratory management, laboratory safety, quality assurance and quality control.

In the waste management research area I have been involved in the following projects: land application of biosolids, fly ash as soil amendments for plant growth, manure management, dead bird disposal, nitrogen movement inside chicken houses, evaluation of flooring barriers in chicken production to reduce nitrogen movement, and development of a side-dresser for manure application in agronomic crop fields.