Ferrell Research

Long term interests include nitrification and other aspects of microbial nitrogen cycling, and assessment of water quality using indicator organisms. Current projects include (1) an ongoing study of the characteristics of Escherichia coli isolates from Branta canadensis (Canadian geese), and (2) optimization of RNA isolation for use in community epidemiology to detect SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. Our lab has expertise in determining nitrification potentials in soils and wastewater treatment facilities and is interested in nitrogen transformations in these environments.