Hozalski Research Group | 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

Ma, B., Lapara, T. M., Evans, A. N., and Hozalski, R. M. (2020). Effects of geographic location and water quality on bacterial communities in full-scale biofilters across North America. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 96(2), [fiz210]. doi: 10.1093/femsec/fiz210

Taguchi, V. J., Weiss, P. T., Gulliver, J. S., Klein, M. R., Hozalski, R. M., Baker, L. A., Finlay, J. C., Keeler, B. L., and Nieber, J. L. (2020). It is not easy being green: Recognizing unintended consequences of green stormwater infrastructure. Water (Switzerland), 12(2), [522]. doi: 10.3390/w12020522

Olmanson, L. G., Page, B. P., Finlay, J. C., Brezonik, P. L., Bauer, M. E., Griffin, C. G., and Hozalski, R. M. (2020). Regional measurements and spatial/temporal analysis of CDOM in 10,000+ optically variable Minnesota lakes using Landsat 8 imagery. Science of the Total Environment, 724, [138141]. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138141

Zhang, Z., Ma, B., Hozalski, R.M., Russell, C.G., Evans, A.N., Led, K.O., Van Dyke, M., Peldszus, S., Huck, P.M., Szczuka, A., and Mitch, W.A. (2019). Bench-Scale Column Evaluation of Factors Contributing to the Increase in N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) Precursors During Drinking Water Biofiltration. Water Research, 167:115103.

Chen, Y., Arnold, W.A., Griffin, C.G., Olmanson, L., Brezonik, P.L., and Hozalski, R.M. (2019). Assessment of the chlorine demand and disinfection byproduct formation potential of surface waters via satellite remote sensing. Water Research, 165: 115001.

Waak, M. B., LaPara, T. M., Hallé, C., and Hozalski, R.M. (2019). Non-tuberculous mycobacteria in two drinking water distribution systems, with and without residual chloramine. Environmental Science and Technology, 53:8563-8573.

Waak, M. B., Hozalski, R.M., Hallé, C., and LaPara, T. M. (2019). Comparison of the microbiomes of two drinking water distribution systems—with and without residual chloramine disinfection. Microbiome, 7:87.

Brezonik, P.L., Bouchard, R.W., Finlay, J.C., Griffin, C.G., Olmanson, L., Anderson, J.P., Arnold, W.A., and, Hozalski, R.M. (2019). Color, chlorophyll a, and suspended solids effects on Secchi depth in lakes: implications for trophic state assessment. Ecological Applications, 29:3 (Article e01871).

Brezonik, P.L., Finlay, J.C., Griffin, C.G., Arnold, W.A., Boardman, E.H., Germolus, N., Hozalski, R.M., and Olmanson, L. (2019). Iron influence on dissolved color in lakes of the Upper Great Lakes States. PLOS One, 14:2.

Aggarwal, S., Gomez-Smith, C., Jeon, Y., LaPara, T.M., Waak, M. B., and Hozalski, R.M. (2018). Effects of Chloramine and Coupon Material on Biofilm Abundance and Community Composition in Bench-Scale Simulated Water Distribution Systems and Comparison with Full-Scale Water Mains. Environmental Science and Technology, 52: 13077-13088.

Ma, B., Arnold, W.A., and Hozalski, R.M. (2018). The Relative Roles of Sorption and Biodegradation in the Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs) in GAC-sand Biofilters. Water Research, 146: 67-76.

Griffin, C. Finlay, J.C., Brezonik, P.L., Olmanson, L., and Hozalski, R.M. (2018). Limitations on using CDOM as a proxy for DOC in temperate lakes. Water Research, 144: 719-727.

Waak, M.B., LaPara, T.M., and Hozalski, R.M. (2018). Occurrence of Legionella spp. in Water-Main Biofilms from Two Drinking Water Distribution Systems. Environmental Science and Technology, 52:7630-7639.