Experts@Minnesota | Google Scholar Citations

I am interested primarily in the application of biological processes for the treatment of water, wastewater, and hazardous waste. One of my main areas of specialization within biological processes is biofilms, which are microbial communities immobilized on solid surfaces. My biofilms research program aims to enhance understanding of the structure and function of biofilms in engineered (e.g., pipelines) and natural systems, to develop or improve water treatment processes that employ biofilms, and to develop strategies for controlling accumulation of biofilms on surfaces through the measurement and manipulation of biofilm mechanical properties. In addition, I am interested in studying the composition and reactivity of aquatic natural organic matter (NOM) with emphasis on the impacts of NOM on water treatment and drinking water quality.

Education

• BChE, 1990, Villanova University, Chemical Engineering
• M.S., 1992, The Johns Hopkins University, Environmental Engineering
• Ph.D., 1996, The Johns Hopkins University, Environmental Engineering

Professional Background

• Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo– Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (2010–present)
• Associate Professor, Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo– Engineering, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota (2003–2010)

Selected Publications

T Kim, X Zhao, RM Hozalski, TM LaPara. (2024). Residual disinfectant effectively suppresses Legionella species in drinking water distribution systems supplied by surface water in Minnesota, USA. Science of The Total Environment 940, 173317.

RM Hozalski, X Zhao, T Kim, TM LaPara. (2024). On-site filtration of large sample volumes improves the detection of opportunistic pathogens in drinking water distribution systems. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 90 (2), e01658-23.

J Li, WA Arnold, RM Hozalski. (2024). Animal Feedlots and Domestic Wastewater Discharges are Likely Sources of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) Precursors in Midwestern Watersheds. Environmental Science & Technology 58 (6), 2973-2983.

SJ Masten, RM Hozalski, TH Nguyen, CA Peters, KH Wammer. (2023). Microbial and Chemical Processes in Natural and Engineered Systems. Environmental Engineering Science 40 (11), 469-471.

ER Noe, J Li, WA Arnold, RM Hozalski. (2023). Preoxidation Effectively Destroys N-Nitrosodimethylamine Precursors in Raw, Lime-Softened, and Recarbonated Surface Waters. Environmental Engineering Science 40 (11), 574-583.

J Li, WA Arnold, RM Hozalski. (2023). Spatiotemporal Variability in N-Nitrosodimethylamine Precursor Levels in a Watershed Impacted by Agricultural Activities and Municipal Wastewater Discharges. Environmental Science & Technology 57 (37), 13959-13969.

SM Berg, RM Hozalski, C Kuo-Dahab, CF Chen, TJ Elliott, GJ Goedjen, et. al. (2023). Contaminant Removal in a Pilot Drinking Water Treatment Plant by Pre-oxidation Followed by Biological Activated Carbon Filtration: Spiking versus Ambient Studies. ACS ES&T Water 3 (9), 2966-2977.

R Singh, Y Chen, JS Gulliver, RM Hozalski. (2023). Leachability and phosphate removal potential of tire derived aggregates in underground stormwater chambers. Journal of Cleaner Production 395, 136428.

T Kim, X Zhao, TM LaPara, RM Hozalski. (2023). Flushing temporarily improves microbiological water quality for buildings supplied with chloraminated surface water but has little effect for groundwater supplies. Environmental Science & Technology 57 (13), 5453-5463.

CS Meegoda, MB Waak, RM Hozalski, T Kim, C Hallé. (2023). The benefits of flushing for mitigating Legionella spp. in non-chlorinated building plumbing systems. Frontiers in Water 5, 1114795.