RESEARCH AREAS

Developing advanced technologies for water treatment, contaminant and pathogen detection and removal, and energy reduction.

Next-Gen Secondary Wastewater Treatment for Potable Reuse

We are researching membrane biofilm reactors (MBfRs) to enhance the efficiency of biological nutrient removal.

Integrated Systems of Water Reuse and Desalination

Advancing the understanding of how seawater desalination and wastewater treatment facilities may be integrated, and the estimated costs associated with integration.

Disinfection Strategies for Blended Reuse Streams

How is disinfection byproduct formation affected by blending seawater and wastewater during treatment, and how can we reduce their formation in blended streams?

Toxicities of Contaminants and Contaminant Mixtures

Total Organic Chlorine Analysis to Assess Safety of UV/Chlorine Advanced Oxidation

High-Recovery Membrane Processes for Minimum Liquid Discharge

Publications

Microplastics May Not Proliferate Antibiotic Resistance during Mainstream Anaerobic Treatment

Golwala H, Saldana MA, Talwalkar A, Philo SE, Smith AL (2024)

Onset, rate, and depth of wetting front progression in membrane distillation

Joshi SG, Childress AE, McGaughey AL (2025)

Phage phylogeny, molecular signaling, and auxiliary antimicrobial resistance in aerobic and anaerobic membrane bioreactors

Al-Faliti M, Wang P, Smith AL, Delgado Vela J (2024)

Minimizing N-Nitrosodimethylamine Formation During Disinfection of Blended Seawater and Wastewater Effluent

Plata SL, Childress AE, McCurry DL (2024)

Augmenting ocean water desalination with potable reuse: Concept feasibility in terms of cost and environmental impacts

Ohlund RJ, Dahdah BH, Guillen GR, & Childress AE (2024)

A Novel Method to Quantify Real-Time Compaction of Water Treatment Membranes

Ding W, Ma K, & Childress AE (2023)