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“Where we bridge the gap between water plant operators and engineers”
In Episode 8, Heather Jennings discusses DNA Analysis and Microscopy with Dr. Paul Campbell and Ryan Hennessy. Paul has extensive experience with microbial physiology, industrial microbiology, and fermentation and leads Aster Bio’s molecular biology and biochemistry work. Ryan is a microbiology and operations specialist at Midwest Contract Operations. Topics covered in the podcast include introduction and orientation to wastewater microbiology evaluation including Next Generation DNA Sequencing, qPCR, and microscopic evaluation; identifying and interpreting microorganisms and their roles in wastewater processing; and tracking microbiology trends in system operations.
Paul Campbell, PhD, may be contacted at https://www.asterbio.com/.
Ryan Hennessy may be contacted at https://www.mco-us.com/wastewater-microbiology/.
Podcast References from Wanda’s Water Tidbit: Skipping Stones on Water
Discover Magazine, Cameron Walker and Jeff Wilson: The Physics of Skipping Stones
Library of Congress: Everyday Mysteries, How Does a Stone “Skip” Across water?
Wired YouTube Channel: Why It’s Almost Impossible to Skip a Stone 89 Times
The treatment of wastewater is a delicate balance of chemical, biological, and mechanical processes. Treatment operators need to find a happy medium to provide high-quality treatment, while staying within budgets and all the while ensuring they meet environmental compliance. Operators are expected to deal with a constantly varying treatment system, such as from climate changes, human usage patterns, and more. With all of the possible changes, budget constraints, and regulator requirements, finding a balance can be quite challenging.
