Water Quality and Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory
Our research is in the general areas of water quality and environmental biotechnology, with focused scientific interests in microbial ecology and environmental genomics. Currently, we are most interested in understanding the ecology of fecal indicator bacteria and pathogens in the environment, to identify fundamental principals governing microbial community structure and function dynamics, and to develop innovative biotechnological solutions to environmental and health challenges.
Tao Yan
Director, Water Resources Research Center
Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering
See Dr. Tao Yan's Publications
My research is at the interface of water quality and environmental health microbiology. The current research foci include survival of fecal bacteria in water environment, impact of stormwater runoff on coastal water, microbial ecology of non-fecal waterborne pathogens, wastewater infrastructures for infectious disease surveillance, and bacterial antibiotic resistance in natural and built environments.
Yangyang Zou
Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Associate)
Investigating the capabilities of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) biodegrading bacteria in Hawaiian soil.
Han Wang
Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Associate)
Contaminants detection in post wildfire environment and membrane technology for wastewater treatment.
Carl Min Ki Jeon
Ph.D. (Postdoctoral Associate)
Wastewater surveillance for respiratory viruses & bacteria using bioinformatics and molecular biology.
Erik Hoffnagle
Ph.D. Student
Wastewater desalination, wastewater reuse, and detecting infiltration into sewers.
Xin Wang
Ph.D. Student
Biodegradation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and monitoring PFAS in wastewater.
Open Positions
We always welcome motivated students and postdoctoral researchers to join our group. Please contact Dr. Tao Yan for possible positions.
Office: POST 203E
Phone: (808) 956-6024
Email: taoyan@hawaii.edu