Hernandez



Sponsored Research Projects - Support for Mark Hernandez as PI and Co-PI (BIOREMEDIATION) *Modeling the Fate of Aircraft Deicing Agents through Environmental Transport* Funding Source: United States Department of Defense - Air Force Office of Scientific Research Total Award Amount: $322 K Award Period: 1/97 - 1/00 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Co- Principal investigator (Grant Share: 50%, with Professor Dobroslav Znidarcic, Civil Engineering, University of Colorado). Lead laboratory and field research on the biodegradation potential of aircraft deicing fluids (ADF) under simulated and in situ conditions. This project focused on determining the fate and effects of full ADF formulations and ADF additives (corrosion inhibitors and surfactants) on the following environmental factors: (i) biodegradation potential in aerobic subsurface soils and (ii) toxicity to surface water ecosystems. *Determining the Transport of Aircraft Deicing Fluid Additives under Cold Field Conditions* Funding Source: Denver International Airport Total Award Amount: $ 33 K Award Period: 1/98 - 1/00 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. This work focused on tracing the transport of aircraft deicing fluids (ADF) additives under winter/spring field conditions encountered in surface waters and shallow saturated soils near Denver Int’l Airport. Novel chromatographic techniques and a large-scale sampling plan were developed to track the movement of corrosion inhibitors and ADF in a multi-season, full-scale water quality study (with Camp Dresser and McKee, Denver Office). *Best Management Practices for Aircraft Deicing Fluid Wastes* Funding Source: United States Department of Defense - Air Force Office of Scientific Research Total Award Amount: $30 K Award Period: 1/98 - 1/00 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. Lead field assessments at Westover Air Force Base, Chicopee, MA, to determine best management alternatives for tracking and minimizing ADF discharges to surface and groundwaters. *Anaerobic Treatment of Aircraft Deicing Fluids* Funding Source: The Charles and Anne Lindbergh Foundation Total Award Amount: $ 10K Award Period: 9/98 - 9/99 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. As a supplementary study to the above AFOSR grants, this work focused on the biodegradation of aircraft deicing fluids (ADF) under strictly anaerobic conditions such as those encountered in wastewater treatment systems (anaerobic digesters and stabilization ponds). A combination of biochemical monitoring methods (anaerobic toxicity assays and Tetrazolium reduction) and molecular methods (genetic probes) were used to determine the toxicity of ADF constituents (and their daughter products) to anaerobic microbial communities. Process engineering modifications (activated carbon additions) were assessed for their potential to mitigate toxic effects of corrosion inhibitors in ADF. *Behavior and Biodegradation Potential of Corrosion Inhibitors under Anoxic Conditions* Funding Source: The United States Environmental Protection Agency Total Award Amount: $ 98 K Award Period: 9/99 - 4/02 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. As a complement to the above deicing fluid studies, this work focused specifically on determining the partitioning properties and biodegradation potential of corrosion inhibitors present in ADF under anoxic conditions. A combination of mass spectrometry, polargraphic, and molecular methods were used to track anoxic metabolism and determine if there are potentially toxic ADF breakdown products produced under defined redox (reducing) conditions. (BIOAEROSOLS) *Microbiological Air Pollution in Environmental Engineering: Stability of Bioaerosols* Funding Source: United States National Science Foundation CAREER Award Total Award Amount: $ 200 K + 200 K (1:1 matched) Award Period: 6/97 - 6/03 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. Development and application of in situ assessment techniques to characterize the distribution, abundance and activity of bacteria and fungi suspended in indoor and outdoor aerosols. Modeling and assessments focused on the biostability and UV photoreactivation of airborne bacteria, fungi, and their spores using sensitive biological stains, genetic and immunochemical probes, direct epifluorescent microscopy, and semi-automated image analysis. *Photocatalytic Reactors for Sterilization of High Bioburden Process Gasses* Funding Source: Colorado Institute for Research in Biotechnology Total Award Amount: $ 35 K (including 1:1 NSF Match) Award Period: 6/97 - 6/99 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Co-Principal investigator (Grant share: 33%, with Prof. Richard Nobel, Chemical Engineering, University of Colorado and Prof. Bill Jacoby, Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri). Using direct epifluorescent microscopy and sensitive biological stains, the effectiveness of TiO2 catalyzed photooxidation as a mechanism for sterilizing indoor aerosols was assessed. The focus of this work was product development of self-cleaning filters for process gasses with extremely high bioaerosol concentrations. Effectiveness of Engineering Controls on the Inactivation of Airborne Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Funding Source: The United States National Institute of Health - Center for Disease Control Total Award Amount: $ 338 K Award Period: 10/97 - 10/00 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Co-Principal investigator (Grant share: 33%, with Prof. Shelly Miller, Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, and National Jewish Medical Research Center, Denver). Evaluating the effectiveness of ultraviolet irradiation as a mechanism for full-scale inactivation of Tuberculosis surrogates. Assessments combined direct epifluorescent microscopy and rapid culturing assays for quantitation of metabolic competence and UV-induced genetic damage in airborne pathogen surrogates. *Review of Airborne Biological Contamination in Commercial Aircraft* Funding Source: The United States National Institutes of Health - Center for Disease Control/NIOSH Total Award Amount: $ 15 K Award Period: 7/99 - 5/00 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal Investigator: This work produced a comprehensive review of all scientific and grey literature germane to bioaerosol characterizations performed on modern commercial aircraft. The review focused on assessments, and provided specific recommendations for future bioaerosol sampling plans for the US commercial aircraft fleet. *Characterization of Primary Biological Material in Urban Air* Funding Source: The United States Environmental Protection Agency Total Award Amount: $ 185K Award Period: 6/00 - 6/03 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder, and Pittsburgh, PA Principal investigator. This study is evaluating the seasonal shifts in urban microbiological aerosol bioburden. Assessments use conventional biochemical analyses with sensitive epifluorescent microscopy, immunological, and genetic amplification approaches to determine the fraction of PM2.5 that is comprised of primary microbiological materials. The microbial ecology, as well as total bioburdens will be described using an interface with classical and new bioaerosol samplers designed to evaluate outdoor PM2.5 (EPA Supersite coordinated by Profs. Cliff Davidson and Spyros Pandis, Carnegie Mellon Univ. ). *Determining the Recovery and Enumeration Efficiency of Prototype Immuno/Electrochemical Bioaerosol Detectors* Funding Source: National Institutes of Health Total Award Amount: $ 231 K Award Period: 10/01 - 10/04 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Co-Principal Investigator. Development and pilot-scale testing of immune-based electrochemical sensors embedded in high flow sampling equipment designed to recover and enumerate selected airborne pathogens targeted as public-health threats and biological warfare agents. Grant is part of an NIH phase I and phase II Small Business Innovation research program *Bioaerosol Exposure Hazard Assessment to Hurricane Katrina Emergency Response and Reclamation Personnel Units* Funding Source: The National Science Foundation. Total Award Amount: $ 65 K Award Period: 9/05 - 4/07 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. Like “ground-zero” following 9/11, the inhalation exposure risk in the New Orleans flood zone may have posed a significant health threat to firefighting, and other reclamation personnel, particularly near appurtenances that purposely introduce flood water streams into air. In response to this condition, the purpose of this study was to monitor the identity, distribution and abundance of microorganisms in aerosols created near such appurtenances, and compares their ecology to that in the immediate source water using widely accepted microscopic and genetic methods. Special attention was paid to quantifying potential pathogens in these aerosols. *Determining the Stability of Nascent and Supercritically Dried Airborne Measles Virus for Needleless Vaccine Delivery* Funding Source: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Total Award Amount: $ 400 K Award Period: 9/05 - 9/08 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Co-Principal Investigator. Development and testing of aerosol based vaccine delivery systems using measles virus to be extended to influenza and hepatitis. This “subgrant” is part of the verification phase of a $ 19.2M Gates “Grand Challenge in Global Health” grant to stabilize vaccines over multi year periods without refrigeration or liquid reconstitution. *Disinfection Potential of Airborne Viruses in Aircraft Environments* Funding Source: The Boeing Company Total Award Amount: $ 600 K Award Period: 10/06- 10/09 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. Development and application of in situ assessment techniques to characterize the distribution, abundance and infection potential of pathogenic viruses suspended as aerosols under a broad range of environmental conditions germane to transportation vehicles and aircraft cabins. Modeling and assessments focus on the biostability and UV disinfection of airborne viruses using novel labeling techniques. *Characterization and Control of Bioaerosols in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations* Funding Source: National Institutes of Health: NIEHS Total Award Amount: $ 900 K Award Period: 8/06- 8/10 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Co-Principal investigator (50% Grant Share w/ Norman Pace, Molecular Biology). Development and application of in situ assessment techniques to characterize the distribution, abundance and infection potential of potential airborne pathogens (e.g. avian influenza) under conditions commonly found in concentrated animal feeding operations (swine and poultry). These assessments will also focus on pilot applications using UV and weak electric fields for wide area disinfection of bioaerosols. (WATER / WASTEWATER TREATMENT) *Factors Affecting Bacterial Attachment and Biofouling of Thin-Film Water Purification Membranes* Funding Source: The United States National Science Foundation, Thin Film Separations Research Center Total Award Amount: $ 105 K Award Period: 6/00 - 6/03 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Co-Principal Investigator: (Grant Share: 50%, with Prof. Alan Greenberg, Mechanical Engineering). Assessment of selected physical factors affecting the reversible and irreversible attachment of biofilm-forming bacteria on water purification membranes (and supports). Assessments use both direct epifluorescent microscopy and high frequency acoustic microscopy to measure the influence of membrane characteristics (hydrophobicity and surface roughness) as well as other water quality parameters (DOC) on bacterial attachment and biofouling potential *Modification of Common Membrane Surfaces to Inhibit Biofouling* Funding Source: The United States National Science Foundation, Thin Film Separations Research Center Total Award Amount: $ 210 K Award Period: 1/03 – 12/05 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Co-Principal Investigator: (Grant Share: 33%, with Prof. Alan Greenberg and Dudley Finch, Mechanical Engineering). The effects of grafting artificially synthesized antibiotics and surfactants to commonly used microfiltration membrane materials will be assessed for their effects of reducing biofouling potential during normal operations. Effect Of Water Quality Parameters On The Ozone-Inactivation Of Bacterial Spores, Emerging Pathogens (Mycobacteria Spp.) and Selected Phage Funding Source: American Water Works Association Total Award Amount: $ 75 K + 100K Award Period: 1/00 - 12/03 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Co-Principal Investigator: (Grant Share 66%, with Prof. Gary Amy, Civil Engineering). Assessment of common water quality factors (physical chemistry) affecting the ozone- and chloramine- induced inactivation of bacterial spores, Mycobacteria avium, and phage under realistic water treatment conditions. *Reactive Saturation and Responses of Emerging Pathogens to Novel Disinfectants* Funding Source: National Science Foundation Total Award Amount: $ 75 K Award Period: 6/03 - 12/04 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal Investigator: Assessment of reaction mechanisms and responses of emerging pathogens (Mycobacteria avium and Bacillus spp.) to ozone. Assessments use novel epifluorescent microscopy techniques (membrane potential and molecular probes) with semi-automated culturing methods to determine the mechanisms and efficiency of inactivation. As a surrogate for the disinfection behavior of Eukaryotic (Oo)cysts, longer -term goals for this work include the development of a prokaryotic model to account for variable inactivation responses due to surface area / volume differences among bacterial spores. **Protein Biofouling Mechanisms during Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Funding Source: The United States National Science Foundation, Genecor, Corp. Total Award Amount: $ 150 K Award Period: 1/06 – 12/08 Location of Project*: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal Investigator:* This work focuses on separating and modeling the mechanisms (internal v. surface associated) governing the fouling or membranes used to process and purify genetically engineered proteins used for pharmaceuticals manufacturing artificially synthesized antibiotics and surfactants to commonly used microfiltration membrane materials will be assessed for their effects of reducing biofouling potential during normal operations. *Enhancing the Sorption Potential of L-Type Activated Carbons to Remove Heavy Metals and Radionuclides from* *acidic Industrial Wastewaters and Acid Mine Drainage* Funding Source: The State of Colorado. Total Award Amount: $ 100 K Award Period: 01/06 - 12/07 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. This work focuses on immobilizing commercially significant benzotriazole derivatives on specially prepared activated carbons to remove high concentrations of heavy metals and radionuclides from acidic wastewaters: Focus is on industrial waste treatment of metal-containing wastewaters without pH adjustments to compete with expensive ion-exchange processes. (BIOGENEIC ACID PRODUCTION) *Assessing Potential for Biologically Mediated Arsenic Reduction in Wetlands Receiving Acid Mine Drainage, and Development of Genetic Probes for Sulfur-Oxidizing Bacteria* Funding Source: Cyprus Amax Mining Corporation Total Award Amount: $ 13 K Award Period: 4/97 - 4/98 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principle investigator. Using microcosm studies and most probable number assays, this work has confirmed the potential for seasonal, biologically mediated arsenic reduction (As (V) to As (III)) in subalpine wetlands receiving acid mine drainage (AMD). In conjunction with the above work, a set of 16sRNA genetic probes was developed and tested to identify active sulfur-oxidizing bacteria in mine tailings. The probes have been used to assess the response of sulfuric acid producing bacteria to AMD abatement practices as well as investigation bacteria implicated to cause concrete corrosion in active sewer collection systems. (GREEN CHEMISTRY) *Improving the Biodegradation Potential of Benzotriazole-Based Corrosion Inhibitors* Funding Source: Cincinnati Specialties Inc. Total Award Amount: $ 31 K Award Period: 12/99 - 12/01 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. This work focuses on determining which commercially significant benzotriazole derivatives are readily biodegradable, as well as improving the biodegradation potential of recalcitrant benzotriazole derivatives by designing and synthesizing novel isomers of these corrosion inhibitors with biotransformation access points recognized by ubiquitous prokaryotic enzymes. A combination of mass spectrometry, polargraphic, and classical bioassays were used. (SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH COLLABORATIONS) Full- and Pilot Scale UV Inactivation Assessments of Prototype In-Room Aerosol Disinfection Units Funding Source: Ultraviolet Disinfection Inc. and Honeywell Inc. Total Award Amount: $ 20 K Award Period: 12/01 - 12/02 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. Inactivation efficacy assessment of prototype high-volume aerosol UV disinfection units under well-mixed, full- and pilot-scale conditions to prevent noscomial infections associated with hospital therapy pools. Efficacy of Electric Fields for Enhanced Retention and Disinfection of Airborne Bacteria and Viruses immobilized by Low Pressure Drop filters Funding Source: Strion Air, Inc. Total Award Amount: $100 K Award Period: 10/04 - 9/06 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. Inactivation efficacy assessment of prototype high-volume aerosol UV disinfection units under pilot-scale conditions focusing on hospitals and other high exposure environments Recovery Efficiency of New Generation Hi Volume Bioaerosol Impingers Funding Source: Sceptor Industries Total Award Amount: $ 60 K Award Period: 12/05 - 12/06 Location of Project: University of Colorado at Boulder Principal investigator. Assessment of production, high-volume liquid capture bioaerosol sampling equipment.
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