Education

Benedictine University, Lisle, Illinois

Biology, Microbial Ecology concentration

Employment

Primary responsibility:  Support of a synchrotron based environmental research programme within the Bioscience Division of Argonne National Laboratory’s Molecular Environmental Science Research group.  The primary focus of this research is mineral-metal-microbial interactions  requiring the experimental manipulation of multiple bacteria strains, both aerobic and anaerobic.

Monitored wastewater in accordance with NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permitting Program) guidelines for a large oil refinery to ensure compliance.  Contaminents monitored included Iron, Zinc, hexavalent Chrome, Nitrite, Cyanide, Phenolics, Fluorides, and Sulphides.  Assayed refinery gas samples for purity and Hydrogen sulphide content.  Conducted biological assays and monitored bacterial trends in both wastewater and cooling tower condensate.

Research fellowship to begin work on a BES Advanced Energy Project sponsored work proposal to examine the activity of sulphate reducing bacteria in oil reservoirs.  The overall goal of said project was to isolate and characterise the biotic ferric-sulphate precipitates which form when bacterially generated hydrogen sulphide reacts with iron in the extra cellular environment. 

Responsible for student teaching labs and ensuring that all necessary equipment for said lab was available and operative. Duties included proctoring and grading exams, in addition to assisting with teaching duties and providing support for students outside the classroom.  One term of General Biology and two terms of Ecology.

Responsible for data and specimen collection for the Gypsy Moth Control Program. Duties included construction and placement of over 600 trapping devices, monitoring of said traps and the recording and processing of captured specimens for the DuPage/Will County areas.  Considerable public contact, in addition to working  with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and county officials.

Measured and quantified the Physical, Chemical and Biological characteristics of three wetland sites, two artificially created and one natural control.  Investigation was attempt to understand the successional properties of constructed wetlands over time.

Current Projects

Provide support for the following:

Lead researcher for the following:

Professional Affiliations

Training/Certifications

2001

Biohazards and Pathogens

2000

Radiological training (site specific)

1998

Confined Space Entry and Rescue Safety

Pressurised Gases and Cryogenic Materials training (site specific)

1997

Computer Security (site specific).

Radioactive Materials training (site specific).

1996

40 Hour OSHA HAZWOPER: Hazardous Waste and Emergency Response.

Publications and Presentations