Professor Corinne Whitby

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Email
cwhitby@essex.ac.uk -
Telephone
+44 (0) 1206 872062
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Location
3SW.5.13, Colchester Campus
Profile
Biography
Dates 2021-Present 糖心Vlog Professor in Environmental Microbiology 2012-2021 糖心Vlog Senior Lecturer in Environmental Microbiology 2006-2012 糖心Vlog Lecturer in Environmental Microbiology 2003-2006 University of Exeter Postdoctoral Research Fellow 2002- 2003 University of Aberdeen Post Doctoral Research Fellow 1997-2002 University of Liverpool Postdoctoral Research Fellow 2009- Present Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA). 2007-present Vice Chair of ISMOS Technical and Scientific Committee, Founder & Co-Organiser of ISMOS. I am a Professor in Environmental Microbiology and member of the Ecology and Environmental Microbiology Research Group at the 糖心Vlog. My research is primarily focussed on i) microbial cycling of carbon and nitrogen across a range of aquatic and terrestrial environments; ii) microbial biodegradation of pollutants, notably petroleum hydrocarbons, naphthenic acids and iii) microbial communities in bioaerosols. I have successfully secured > 拢12.1 million funding from UKRI, EU and industry since post and have >50 peer-reviewed publications. As the Graduate Director at 糖心Vlog University since 2019, I have extensive experience supporting PGR students and have supervised a total of 22 PGR students as either primary supervisor or co-supervisor on various projects within the research area of environmental microbiology .
Qualifications
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1998 University of Liverpool Ph.D. (NERC-CASE): Environmental Microbiology
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B.Sc. (Hons) Applied Biology, (Molecular Microbiology) University of Hull, (1994)
Research and professional activities
Research interests
Bioaerosols
Bioaerosols
biogeochemical cycling
biogeochemical cycling e.g nitrogen and carbon cycling
Hydrocarbon biodegradation
Hydrocarbon biodegradation
Current research
Microbial nitrogen and carbon cycling.
Microbial biodegradation of hydrocarbons with a specific focus on naphthenic acid (NA) biodegradation in aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Impact of nanoparticles and nano/mcroplastics on microbial communities in the environment.
Characterization of microbial communities in bioaerosols.
2015-2018 BBSRC 'Using synthetic biology to forward engineer the catabolic pathways in Pseudomonads for use as biotechnological tools in the bioremediation of oil sands process waters'. (PI).
2015-2018 NERC 'Disentangling the plant-microbe interactions in the soil rhizosphere' (PI).
2015-2018 NERC 'Rapid monitoring of bioaerosols in industrial, agricultural and urban environments'. (Co-I).
2013-2016 NERC-CASE Spatio-temporal dynamics of microbial community structure and function across an afforestation chronosequence (PI).
2013-2016 EC FP7-Human Exposure to Aeorosol Contaminants in Modern Micro-environments' (HEXACOMM) (Co-I).
Conferences and presentations
Johnson, R. Folwell, B., Smith, B., Rowland, S. &Whitby, C (2015). Bioremediation of Naphthenic Acids. University of Warwick.
Coventry, United Kingdom, 2015
Johnson, R. Smith, B., Rowland, S. & Whitby, C. (2012). Oil sands to the rescue: Oil Sand Microbial Communities Can Degrade Recalcitrant Alkyl Phenyl Alkanoic Acids. University of Calgary.
Calgary, Canada, 2012
Johnson, R. Smith, B., Rowland, S. & Whitby, C. (Nov 2010). Microbial biodegradation of alkyl phenyl alkanoic acids by oil sand microbial communities. Reservoir Microbiology Forum.
2010
Johnson, R. Smith, B., Rowland, S. & Whitby, C. (June, 2009). Understanding Hydrocarbon Biodegradation. Goldschmidt Conference, Switzerland.
Switzerland, 2009
Johnson, R. Smith, B., Rowland, S. & Whitby, C. (June, 2009). Naphthenic acid biodegradation. RMF, UK.
United Kingdom, 2009
Johnson, R. Smith, B., Rowland, S. & Whitby, C. (Sept, 2009). Characterization of NA-degraders. University of Reading, UK.
Reading, United Kingdom, 2009
Johnson, R. Smith, B., Rowland, S. & Whitby, C. (2008). MEOR-extracting more from our dirty oil RMF, UK.
United Kingdom, 2008
Johnson, R. Smith, B., Rowland, S. & Whitby, C. (2008). The acid test- cleaning up our dirty oil SGM, Dublin.
Dublin, Ireland, 2008
Whitby, C. (2006). WSP Remediation. Molecular methods and bioremediation.
2006
Johnson, R. Smith, B., Rowland, S. & Whitby, C. (2006). Can we clean up our dirty oil? RMF, UK.
2006
Whitby, C. & H. Lappin-Scott. SIP: Linking Natural Community Diversity with Function. (2004). ASM, USA
2004
Teaching and supervision
Current teaching responsibilities
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Microbiology (BS104)
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Introduction to Global Sustainability Challenges (BS106)
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Microbial Diversity and Biotechnology (BS253)
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Climate Change and Pollution (BS345)
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Research Project in Biomedical Science (BS831)
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Research Project in Life Sciences (BS832)
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Research Project: MSc Biotechnology (BS984)
Current supervision
Previous supervision

Degree subject: Microbiology
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 23/1/2023

Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 8/7/2020

Degree subject: Environmental Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 25/9/2018

Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 1/6/2017

Degree subject: Microbiology
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 22/5/2017

Degree subject: Microbiology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 15/8/2014

Degree subject: Microbiology
Degree type: Doctor of Philosophy
Awarded date: 23/7/2013

Degree subject: Biological Sciences
Degree type: Master of Science (by Dissertation)
Awarded date: 1/2/2012
Publications
Journal articles (52)
Chen, Z., Cameron, TC., Couce, E., Garcia, C., Hicks, N., Thomas, GE., Thompson, MSA., Whitby, C. and O'Gorman, EJ., (2024). . Science of the Total Environment. 929, 172536-172536
Grydaki, N., Colbeck, I. and Whitby, C., (2024). . Scientific Reports. 14 (1), 20238-
Bhui, K., Ucci, M., Kumar, P., Jackson, SK., Whitby, C., Colbeck, I., Pfrang, C., Nasir, ZA. and Coulon, F., (2024). . BJPsych Open. 10 (5), 1-7
Grydaki, N., Colbeck, I. and Whitby, C., (2024). . Science of the Total Environment. 957, 177539-177539
Bani, A., Whitby, C., Colbeck, I., Dumbrell, AJ. and Ferguson, RMW., (2024). Rapid In-Field Detection of Airborne Pathogens Using Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP). Microorganisms. 12 (12), 2578-2578
Coulon, F. and Whitby, C., (2023). Rapid measurement tools or fast identification of bioaerosols. Open Access Government. 38 (1), 462-463
Gregson, BH., Bani, A., Steinfield, L., Holt, D. and Whitby, C., (2022). . Science of the Total Environment. 819, 153040-153040
Clark, DR., McKew, BA., Binley, A., Heppell, CM., Whitby, C. and Trimmer, M., (2022). . ISME Communications. 2 (1), 5-
Scarlett, K., Denman, S., Clark, DR., Forster, J., Vanguelova, E., Brown, N. and Whitby, C., (2021). . The ISME Journal. 15 (3), 623-635
Grydaki, N., Colbeck, I., Mendes, L., Eleftheriadis, K. and Whitby, C., (2021). . Environment International. 146, 106186-106186
Ferguson, RMW., Neath, CEE., Nasir, ZA., Garcia-Alcega, S., Tyrrel, S., Coulon, F., Dumbrell, AJ., Colbeck, I. and Whitby, C., (2021). . Environment International. 147, 106327-106327
McKew, BA., Johnson, R., Clothier, L., Skeels, K., Ross, MS., Metodiev, M., Frenzel, M., Gieg, LM., Martin, JW., Hough, MA. and Whitby, C., (2021). . MicrobiologyOpen. 10 (4), e1196-
Garcia-Alcega, S., Nasir, ZA., Cipullo, S., Ferguson, RMW., Yan, C., Whitby, C., Dumbrell, AJ., Drew, G., Colbeck, I., Tyrrel, S. and Coulon, F., (2020). . Science of the Total Environment. 719, 137542-137542
Caires, CSA., Farias, LAS., Gomes, LE., Pinto, BP., Gon莽alves, DA., Zagonel, LF., Nascimento, VA., Alves, DCB., Colbeck, I., Whitby, C., Caires, ARL. and Wender, H., (2020). . Materials Science and Engineering: C. 113, 110984-110984
Freeman, D., Baj贸n Fern谩ndez, Y., Wilson, A., McKew, BA., Whitby, C., Clark, DR., Jefferson, B., Coulon, F. and Hassard, F., (2020). . Environment International. 135, 105354-105354
Clark, DR., McKew, BA., Dong, LF., Leung, G., Dumbrell, AJ., Stott, A., Grant, H., Nedwell, DB., Trimmer, M. and Whitby, C., (2020). . Soil Biology and Biochemistry. 143, 107725-107725
McGenity, TJ., Gessesse, A., Hallsworth, JE., Garcia Cela, E., Verheecke鈥怴aessen, C., Wang, F., Chavarr铆a, M., Haggblom, MM., Molin, S., Danchin, A., Smid, EJ., Lood, C., Cockell, CS., Whitby, C., Liu, S., Keller, NP., Stein, LY., Bordenstein, SR., Lal, R., Nunes, OC., Gram, L., Singh, BK., Webster, NS., Morris, C., Sivinski, S., Bindschedler, S., Junier, P., Antunes, A., Baxter, BK., Scavone, P. and Timmis, K., (2020). . Microbial Biotechnology. 13 (4), 844-887
Folwell, BD., McGenity, TJ. and Whitby, C., (2020). . Microbial Biotechnology. 13 (2), 495-508
Thomas, GE., Cameron, TC., Campo, P., Clark, DR., Coulon, F., Gregson, BH., Hepburn, LJ., McGenity, TJ., Miliou, A., Whitby, C. and McKew, BA., (2020). . Frontiers in Microbiology. 11, 1706-
Caires, CSA., Silva, CM., Lima, AR., Alves, LM., Lima, THN., Rodrigues, ACS., Chang, MR., Oliveira, SL., Whitby, C., Nascimento, VA. and Caires, ARL., (2020). Photodynamic Inactivation of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus by a Natural Food Colorant (E-141ii). Molecules. 25 (19), 4464-4464
Ferguson, RMW., Garcia-Alcega, S., Coulon, F., Dumbrell, AJ., Whitby, C. and Colbeck, I., (2019). . Molecular Ecology Resources. 19 (3), 672-690
Garcia-Alcega, S., Nasir, ZA., Ferguson, RMW., No毛l, C., Cravo-Laureau, C., Whitby, C., Dumbrell, AJ., Colbeck, I., Tyrrel, S. and Coulon, F., (2018). . Science of the Total Environment. 631鈥632, 1059-1069
Beddow, J., Stolpe, B., Cole, PA., Lead, JR., Sapp, M., Lyons, BP., Colbeck, I. and Whitby, C., (2017). . Environmental Microbiology. 19 (2), 500-510
Garcia-Alcega, S., Nasir, Z., Ferguson, RMW., Whitby, C., Dumbrell, AJ., Colbeck, I., Gomes, D., Tyrrel, S. and Coulon, F., (2017). . TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry. 86, 75-83
Beddow, J., Johnson, RJ., Lawson, T., Breckels, MN., Webster, RJ., Smith, BE., Rowland, SJ. and Whitby, C., (2016). . Chemosphere. 145, 416-423
Folwell, BD., McGenity, TJ., Price, A., Johnson, RJ. and Whitby, C., (2016). . International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 108, 214-221
Lansdown, K., McKew, BA., Whitby, C., Heppell, CM., Dumbrell, AJ., Binley, A., Olde, L. and Trimmer, M., (2016). . Nature Geoscience. 9 (5), 357-360
Tatti, E., McKew, BA., Whitby, C. and Smith, CJ., (2016). . Journal of Visualized Experiments. 2016 (112)
Folwell, BD., McGenity, TJ. and Whitby, C., (2016). . Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 82 (8), 2288-2299
Li, J., Nedwell, DB., Beddow, J., Dumbrell, AJ., McKew, BA., Thorpe, EL. and Whitby, C., (2015). . Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 81 (1), 159-165
Beddow, J., Stolpe, B., Cole, P., Lead, JR., Sapp, M., Lyons, BP., Colbeck, I. and Whitby, C., (2014). . Environmental Microbiology Reports. 6 (5), 448-458
Beddow, J., St枚lpe, B., Cole, PA., Lead, JR., Sapp, M., Lyons, BP., McKew, B., Steinke, M., Benyahia, F., Colbeck, I. and Whitby, C., (2014). . International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation. 96, 206-215
Papaspyrou, S., Smith, CJ., Dong, LF., Whitby, C., Dumbrell, AJ. and Nedwell, DB., (2014). . PLoS One. 9 (4), e94111-e94111
Whitby, C., Skovhus, TL. and Passman, FJ., (2013). ISMOS-3: Third International Symposium on Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oil Systems 鈥 Preface to special issue. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 81, 1-2
Johnson, RJ., Smith, BE., Rowland, SJ. and Whitby, C., (2013). . International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 81, 3-8
McKew, BA., Dumbrell, AJ., Daud, SD., Hepburn, L., Thorpe, E., Mogensen, L. and Whitby, C., (2012). . Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 78 (15), 5229-5237
Pankhurst, LJ., Whitby, C., Pawlett, M., Larcombe, LD., McKew, B., Deacon, LJ., Morgan, SL., Villa, R., Drew, GH., Tyrrel, S., Pollard, SJT. and Coulon, F., (2012). . FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 79 (1), 229-239
Johnson, RJ., West, CE., Swaih, AM., Folwell, BD., Smith, BE., Rowland, SJ. and Whitby, C., (2012). . Environmental Microbiology. 14 (4), 872-882
Johnson, RJ., Smith, BE., Sutton, PA., McGenity, TJ., Rowland, SJ. and Whitby, C., (2011). . The ISME Journal. 5 (3), 486-496
Rowland, SJ., Jones, D., Scarlett, AG., West, CE., Hin, LP., Boberek, M., Tonkin, A., Smith, BE. and Whitby, C., (2011). . Science of The Total Environment. 409 (15), 2936-2941
Farage, P., Ball, AS., McGenity, TJ., Whitby, C. and Pretty, JN., (2010). . Australian Journal Of Soil Research. 48 (1), 104-104
Whitby, C., (2010). . ADVANCES IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, VOL 70. 70, 93-125
Farage, P., Ball, A., McGenity, TJ., Whitby, C. and Pretty, J., (2009). Burning management and carbon sequestration of upland heather moorland in the UK. Soil Research. 47 (4), 351-351
Whitby, C., Johnson, RJ., Smith, B., Robinson, K. and Rowland, S., (2009). . Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. 73 (13), creators-Whitby=3ACorinne=3A=3A
Smith, BE., Lewis, CA., Belt, ST., Whitby, C. and Rowland, SJ., (2008). . Environmental Science & Technology. 42 (24), 9323-9328
Zakaria, D., Lappin鈥怱cott, H., Burton, S. and Whitby, C., (2007). . Environmental Microbiology. 9 (10), 2575-2587
Whitby, C., Bailey, M., Whiteley, A., Murrell, C., Kilham, K., Prosser, J. and Lappin-Scott, H., (2005). . ASM News. 71 (4), 169-173
Whitby, C., Bailey, M., Whiteley, A., Murrell, C., Kilham, K., Prosser, J. and Lappin-Scott, H., (2005). Stable isotope probing links taxonomy with function in microbial communities - Microbial ecologists have a culture-independent means for analyzing sources of metabolic activities among complex mixtures of microbes. ASM NEWS. 71 (4), 169-173
Whitby, C., Earl, J., Lanyon, C., Gray, S., Robinson, J., Meadows, J. and Edwards, C., (2004). . Journal of Applied Microbiology. 97 (5), 973-984
Whitby, CB., Hall, G., Pickup, R., Saunders, JR., Ineson, P., Parekh, NR. and McCarthy, A., (2001). . Letters in Applied Microbiology. 32 (6), 398-401
Whitby, CB., Saunders, JR., Pickup, RW. and McCarthy, AJ., (2001). . Antonie van Leeuwenhoek. 79 (2), 179-188
Whitby, CB., Saunders, JR., Rodriguez, J., Pickup, RW. and McCarthy, A., (1999). . Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 65 (11), 4855-4862
Books (1)
Whitby, C. and Skovhus, TL., (2011). . Springer. 978-90-481-9251-9
Book chapters (10)
Underwood, GJC., Dumbrell, AJ., McGenity, TJ., McKew, BA. and Whitby, C., (2022). . In: The Marine Microbiome. Editors: Stal, LJ. and Cretoiu, MS., . Springer International Publishing. 479- 534. 9783030903824
Whitby, C., Ferguson, RMW., Colbeck, I., Dumbrell, AJ., Nasir, ZA., Marczylo, E., Kinnersley, R., Douglas, P., Drew, G., Bhui, K., Lemon, M., Jackson, S., Tyrrel, S. and Coulon, F., (2022). Compendium of analytical methods for sampling, characterization and quantification of bioaerosols. In: Functional Microbiomes. Editors: Bohan, DA. and Dumbrell, AJ., . Elsevier. 101- 229. 978-0-323-98593-2
Whitby, C., (2022). A microbial solution to oil sand pollution: Understanding the microbiomes, metabolic pathways and mechanisms involved in naphthenic acid (NA) biodegradation. In: Functional Microbiomes. Editors: Bohan, DA. and Dumbrell, AJ., . Elsevier. 231- 287. 978-0-323-98593-2
Skeels, K. and Whitby, C., (2019). 1. Skeels K and Whitby C (2018). Microbial ecology of naphthenic acid degradation. In: McGenity, Terry J and Nogales, Balbina, (eds.) Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols. Springer pg 1-22.. In: Microbial Communities Utilizing Hydrocarbons and Lipids: Members, Metagenomics and Ecophysiology. Springer International Publishing. 1- 22. 9783319600635
Colbeck, I. and Whitby, C., (2019). Biological Particles in the Indoor Environment. In: Indoor Air Pollution. The Royal Society of Chemistry. 127- 157. 9781788015141
Nedwell, DB., Underwood, GJC., McGenity, TJ., Whitby, C. and Dumbrell, AJ., (2016). . In: Advances in Ecological Research. Elsevier. 227- 281. 978-0-08-100935-2
Smith, CJ., Mckew, BA., Coggan, A. and Whitby, C., (2016). . In: Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology Protocols. Editors: McGenity, TJ., Timmis, KN. and Nogales, B., . Springer. 207- 241. 978-3-662-50427-7
McGenity, TJ., Whitby, C. and Fahy, A., (2010). . In: Handbook of Hydrocarbon and Lipid Microbiology. Editors: Timmis, KN., McGenity, TJ., van der Meer, JR. and de Lorenzo, V., . Springer. 1931- 1937. 9783540775881
Price, A., 锟絣varez, LA., Whitby, C. and Larsen, J., (2010). . In: Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oilfield Systems. Editors: Whitby, C. and Skovhus, TL., . Springer. 77- 84. 978-90-481-9251-9
Whitby, C., Meade, R., Hall, G., Saunders, JR., Pickup, RW. and McCarthy, AJ., (2001). . In: Genes in the Environment 15th Special Symposium of the British Ecological Society. Editors: Hails, RS., Beringer, JE. and Godfray, HCJ., . Cambridge University Press/British Ecological Society. 167- 186. 9780521549349
Conferences (3)
Frenzel, M., Passman, F., Skovhus, TL. and Whitby, C., (2018). 5 th International Symposium on Applied Microbiology and Molecular Biology in Oil Systems
Price, A., 脕lvarez, LA., Whitby, C. and Larsen, J., (2010). Detection of SRP activity by quantification of mRNA for the dissimilatory (bi) sulfite reductase gene (dsrA) by reverse transcription quantitative PCR
Price, A., 脕lvarez, LA., Whitby, C. and Larsen, J., (2010). Detection of SRP activity by quantification of mRNA for the dissimilatory (bi) sulfite reductase gene (dsrA) by reverse transcription quantitative PCR
Reports and Papers (2)
Holt, D. and Whitby, C., (2017).
Johnson, R. and Whitby, C., (2010). Fuel for the Future: Unlocking New Fuel Resources
Grants and funding
2024
Ecosystem function and services associated rock oyster aquaculture and naturalisation
糖心Vlog
Quantifying the impacts of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from infrastructure decommissioning on benthic micro and macrofaunal communities.
Oil Spill Response Ltd
2023
Multi-trophic response and effects of an extensive oil spill in a coastal fish nursery
Natural Environment Research Council
PhD Studentship Seahorse eDNA
Natural England
2022
ORBIT: Offshore Renewables: winds of change for Benthic communities?
Natural Environment Research Council
Identifying Determinants For Indoor Air Quality And Their Health Impact In Environments For Children: Measures To Improve Indoor Air Quality And Reduce Disease Burdens
European Commission
School and community engagement with tiny forests to enhance environmental and human health
North East 糖心Vlog Clinical Commissioning Group
2020
Functionality and Ecological Connectivity of Man-Made Structures (FuECoMMS)
Natural Environment Research Council
Indoor/outdoor Bioaerosols Interface and Relationships Network - BioAirNet
Natural Environment Research Council
2018
FUSED - Functionality of Urban Soils supporting Ecosystem service Delivery
Natural Environment Research Council
Microbiological Assessment of soil surrounding Trees with AOD and COD.
Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
2017
A new dynamic for Phosphorus in Riverbed Nitrogen Cycling - PRINCe
Natural Environment Research Council
Quantifying a marine ecosystem's response to a catastrophic oil spill
Natural Environment Research Council
2016
Disentangling plant-soil microbe-plant feedback loop interactions under soil drought stress conditions
ADC BioScientific Limited
Using low impact technologies for sustainable agriculture - workshops with informal economy manufacturers and women farmers.
糖心Vlog
Using low impact technologies for sustainable agriculture - workshops with informal economy manufacturers and women farmers.
糖心Vlog
Rapid monitoring of bioaerosols in Urban, Agricultural and Industrial Environments
Natural Environment Research Council
Rapid monitoring of bioaerosols in Urban, Agricultural and Industrial Environments
Natural Environment Research Council
2015
Rapid monitoring of bioaerosols in Urban, Agricultural and Industrial Environments
Natural Environment Research Council
2014
Commercialisation of Bioreactor Process Technology
Natural Environment Research Council
The Role of Lateral Exchange in Modulating the Seaward Flux of C.N.P
Natural Environment Research Council
Using Proteomics to increase naphthenic acid degradation rates in Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf-5
Society For General Microbiology
2012
The Role of Lateral Echange in Modulating the Seaward Flux of CNP
Natural Environment Research Council
Process Scale-Up for Rapid Naphthenic Acid Removal from Oil Sands Process Waters (OSPW)
Natural Environment Research Council
Human EXposure to Aerosol Contaminants in Modern Microenvironments
European Commission (FP7)
2011
International Travel Grant - University of Calgary
The Royal Society
2010
Development of an optimized naphthenic acid bioremedition
Natural Environment Research Council