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I received my PhD in Environmental Microbiology from the University of Guelph in 1993 and my MSc in Biology from the University of Waterloo in 1989. Graduate research focused on heavy metal toxicity and metal resistance in environmental/aquatic microorganisms.
Prior to joining ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨, I was a research assistant professor with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council chair in water treatment in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Waterloo. Research focused on microbiological aspects of drinking water treatment.
As an applied environmental microbiologist, the research in our laboratory focuses primarily on aspects of microbial water quality with specific attention to the environmental persistence of antibiotic resistant pathogens. Ongoing projects include constructed wetland treatment of wastewater including the role of microbial community structure in bioremediation potential, biofilm formation by selected waterborne pathogens and the relationship to antibiotic resistance, and bacterial-mycorrhizal interactions in wetland plant root systems. The ·ï»Ë²ÊƱƽ̨ Environmental Microbiology Laboratory also represents the Pathogen Resilience Platform for the Southern Ontario Watershed Consortium.
- American Water Works Association Appreciation Award (2005).
- New Opportunities Fund Award (in association with the Canada Foundation for Innovation Grant) (2004).
I have research assistantships opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students interested in environmental microbiology and waterborne pathogens.
I am willing to supervise graduate students at either the masters or doctoral level interested in applied aspects of environmental microbiology as well as the microbial ecology of wetland systems.
- Thomas, J.L., R.M. Slawson and W.D. Taylor. “Salmonella serotype diversity and seasonality in urban and rural streams.” Journal of Applied Microbiology (2012).
- Helt, C.D., K.P. Weber, R.L. Legge and R.M. Slawson. “Antibiotic resistance profiles of wetland bacteria and faecal indicators following ciprofloxacin exposure in aquatic mesocosms.” Ecological Engineering (2012).
- Weber, K.Pl., M.R. Mitzel, R.M. Slawson and R.L. Legge. “Effect of ciprofloxacin on microbiological development in wetland mesocosms.” Water Research (2011).