Consequences of Microbial Interactions with Hydrocarbons, Oils, and Lipids: Biodegradation and Bioremediation

About

Dr. Robert J. Steffan received his Ph.D. in biology from the University of Louisville where he worked on the development of molecular biological tools for monitoring genetically engineered microorganisms in the environment. His work included the first ever application of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for monitoring organisms in environmental samples. This early work provided a basis for much of the PCR-based environmental analysis in use today. Following his doctoral studies he received an Alexander von Humboldt fellowship to perform postdoctoral research at the National Institute for Biotechnology (GBF) in Braunschweig Germany. There he worked to identify and genetically engineer biodegradation pathways in bacteria and to evaluate genetic transformation of bacteria in nature. After his postdoctoral studies he worked in the environmental industry for more than 25 years where he served as a technical expert to help solve real-world remediation and pollution treatment challenges and also led a research and development group. His primary research interests were biodegradation of chlorinated solvents and ether-containing pollutants (14-dioxane MTBE BCEE etc.) bioaugmentation for remediation development of novel remediation strategies and molecular biology of degradative bacteria. He directed the development and commercialization of SDC-9TM a Dehalococcoides sp.-containing bacterial culture that has been applied at more than 2000 sites for remediation of chlorinated solvent contaminated groundwater. In addition he led a program that developed a novel patented combinatorial biocatalysis process that resulted in the production of several unique and patented antibiotic compounds with activity against Gram-positive microorganisms including multidrug resistant TB. He has authored more than 100 scientific papers reports and book chapters including two invited review articles in the Annual Review of Microbiology and has received 11 patents. He has served as a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Bacteriology and Applied and Environmental Microbiology and was the recipient of the 2008 Excellence in Review Award from Environmental Science & Technology. He retired from his work in the environmental industry in 2014.