always
last updated Tuesday, December 16,
2008

Robin
Gerlach’s Research
Summary
GURT (the Gerlach Ultimate Research Team)
Funding
Publications & Presentations
Short
Courses and Invited Lectures

Summary
My research investigates the use of biofilms for beneficial
purposes.
A few examples are
·
the control and cleanup of contaminated soils
and water (bioremediation, biofilm remediation, biofilm barriers)
·
sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2)
·
water and wastewater treatment
·
the development of bio- and biofilm-based
processing technology (biofilm technology) for the production of chemicals,
fuels, and biomaterials
More specifically, we have focused our research on the
development of Subsurface Biofilm
Barriers that can be used to manipulate the hydraulic conductivity
(permeability) of soils. Such
biofilm barriers enable us to decrease or direct the flow of groundwater
(towards a treatment zone for instance).
Therefore, we are investigating the hydrodynamics in
biofilm affected porous media in the laboratory using different reactors
and analytical techniques.
By improving our ability to transport bacteria and
nutrients in the subsurface and designing biofilm barriers to be reactive
(e.g. contaminant degrading) or non-reactive (exclusively for hydraulic
control) we are intending to improve existing subsurface bioremediation
technologies.
We are investigating the transformation of nitroaromatics
(e.g. the explosive TNT - 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), chlorinated aliphatic
compounds (e.g. trichloroethylene – TCE and carbon tetrachloride
– CT), heavy metals (e.g. chromate and dichromate), and radionuclides
(e.g. uranium).
The influence of natural organic matter, minerals, and
co-contaminants is of specific interest to my research along with the
development of strategies to establish biogeochemical conditions (pH, redox potential,
oxygen concentration, etc.) ideal for the safe removal of these contaminants
from contaminated groundwater or their immobilization in contaminated soils.
More recently we have begun to investigate the possible use
of extremophilic microorganisms for improved bioprocessing of lignocellulosic
materials.
GURT
(the Gerlach Ultimate Research Team)
Present
Erin Field
– Ph.D. student (Microbiology)
Fate and Transport of Heavy
Metals and Radionuclides in the Environment
Laura
Jennings M.S. - visiting Ph.D. student (from Cornell University
– Advisor Jim Gossett)
Investigation of Polaromonas
sp. strain JS666 as a Potential Bioaugmentation Agent at cis-1,2-DCE-Contaminated Sites
Andy
Pannier – M.S. student (Microbiology)
Transformation of
Explosives by Yeasts
Stacy Parks
– M.S. student (Chemical and Biological Engineering)
Logan
Schultz – M.S. student (Chemical and Biological Engineering)
Influence of Biofilms
on Reactive Transport in Porous Media
Laura
Wheeler – M.S. student (Chemical and Biological Engineering)
Robert
Fortenberry – Undergraduate Research Scholar (Chemical and Biological
Engineering)
Effects of
Biofilms on Radial Flow in a Porous Media System
and past
Staff
Adrienne
Phillips M.S. – Research Engineer (Chemical Engineer)
Biofilm
Restoration of Contaminated Army Sites
Fate and
Transport of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides in the Environment
Howard
Christiansen M.S. – Research Associate (Chemistry)
Mass Spectrometry
and Chromatography Specialist
Laura
Boegli – Laboratory Technician (Center for Innovation)
Biofilm
Restoration of Contaminated Army Sites
John
Gilmore – Laboratory Technician
Various projects
Kristy
Weaver
Fate and
Transport of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides in the Environment
Jace Harwood
Graduate Students
Ayrat
Ziganshin – visiting Fulbright Ph.D. student (from Kazan State University, Russia)
Transformation of
2,4,6-trinitrotoluene by Yeast Cells
Natasha
Mallette (Ph.D. student),
Cellulose Transformation
by Extremophilic Biofilms
Thomas
Borch (Ph.D. student)
Chromatographic,
Spectroscopic and Microscopic Analyses Reveal the Impact of Iron Oxides and
Electron Shuttles on the Degradation Pathway of TNT by a Fermenting Bacterium
Undergraduate
Students
Peter Haun
– Undergraduate Research Assistant (Chemical and Biological Engineering -
MSU)
David
Steppler – Undergraduate Scholar
Mixed Contaminant
Transformations by Zero-Valent Iron
Heidi
Cicon – Undergraduate Research Assistant
Various projects
Funding
Present
Mobility of Source Zone Heavy Metals and
Radionuclides: The Mixed Roles of
Fermentative Activity on Fate and Transport of U and Cr (Role Co-PI); DOE/ERSP;
03/06-11/07; Collaborators: Brent Peyton (MSU), William A. Apel (Idaho National
Laboratory)
Environmental
Responses to Geologic CO2 Sequestrations (Role Co-PI). DOE-EPSCoR. 7/1/08 - 6/30/11; Collaborators A. Cunningham, J. Seymour,
S. Codd, M. Apple, M. North-Abbot, X. Zhou, D. Reichard, L. Heath, W. Holben, S.
Miller; Person-Months per Year Committed to the Project: 1
Zero
Emissions Research and Technology. (Role: Co-PI). Department of Energy. 10/06-
09/09; PI: A. Cunningham. Person-Months Per Year Committed to the Project: 1
and past
A
Genomes to Geochemical Analysis of Geothermal Features in Yellowstone National Park.
Thermal Biology Institute, Montana
State University;
9/06-8/07
Biofilm-Based Remediation Technologies for the U.S.
Department of Defense (DoD) and Other Contaminated Sites. DOD/ARO; (Role: PI);
9/04-01/07; STTR with Center for Innovation (Butte, MT)
Environmental and Biofilm Mass Spectrometry Facility
(Role: PI); Defense
University Research
Instrumentation Program – DURIP; 5/05- 5/06
Enhanced
DNAPL Degradation by Thermophilic Bioaugmentation of Electrical Resistance
Heating (Role: Collaborator); SBIR NSF;
11/03 - 12/03; Collaborators:
Center for Innovation (Butte, MT), Tim McDermott
(Montana State University)
Microbial
Alteration of Reducible Metal Ions (PIs: Robin
Gerlach, Al Cunningham); Inland Northwest Research Alliance;
10/00 - 10/03; Collaborators: Brent Peyton (Washington
State University),
Bill Apel (Idaho
National Environmental and Engineering Laboratory)
Tomography and Biogeochemical Reconnaissance for
Characterizing Microbial and Solute Transport in a Heterogenous Coarse Alluvial
Aquifer (Role: Subcontractor); Subcontract from Boise
State University;
10/01- 10/03; Collaborators: Warren Barrash, Paul
Michaels (Boise
State University)
Publications & Presentations
Publications (accepted
and published):
- Mitchell,
A.C.; Phillips, A.J.; Hamilton, M.A.; Gerlach, R.; Hollis, K.; Kaszuba,
J.P.; Cunningham, A.B. (2008): Resilience of planktonic and biofilm cultures to
supercritical CO2. The
Journal of Supercritical Fluids. 47(2):318-325. doi:10.1016/j.supflu.2008.07.005
- Viamajala S.,
Gerlach R., Sivaswamy V., Peyton B.M., Apel W.A., Cunningham A.B.,
Petersen J.N. (2008): Permeable
reactive biobarriers for in-situ Cr(VI) reduction: Bench scale tests using
Cellulomonas sp. strain ES6. Biotechnology and Bioengineering. Published
Online DOI 10.1002/bit.22020.
- Mitchell, A.C.; Phillips, A.J.;
Hiebert, R.; Gerlach, R.; Spangler, L.; Cunningham, A.B. (2008): Biofilm enhanced geologic sequestration of
supercritical CO2. The International
Journal on Greenhouse Gas Control. doi:10.1016/j.ijggc.2008.05.002
- Borch, T.,
Camper, A.K., Biederman, J.A., Butterfield, P.W., Gerlach, R., Amonette,
J.E. (2008): Evaluation
of Characterization Techniques for Iron Pipe Corrosion Products
and Iron Oxide Thin Films. Journal
of Environmental Engineering. 134(10):835-844.
- Naumenko,
E.A.; Naumova, A.V.; Suvorova, E.S.; Gerlach, R; Ziganshin, A.M.; Lozhkin,
A.P.; Silkin, N.I.; Naumova, R.P. (2008):
Participation of oxygen in the bacterial transformation of
2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. Biochemistry
(Moscow). 73(4):463-469.
- Ziganshin, A.M.; Gerlach, R; Borch, T; Naumov, A.V.; Naumova,
R.P. (2007): Production of Eight Different Hydride Complexes and Nitrite
Release from 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene by Yarrowia
lipolytica. Appl. Environ.
Microbiol. 73(24):7898-7905
- Cunningham,
A.B.; Sharp, R.S.; Caccavo Jr, F.; Gerlach, R. (2007): Effects of
Starvation on Bacterial Transport Through Porous Media. Advances in Water Resources. 30(6-7):1583-1592.
- Seymour,
J.D.; Gage, J.P.; Codd, S.L.; Gerlach, R. (2007): Magnetic Resonance
Microscopy of Biofouling Induced Scale Dependent Transport in Porous
Media. Advances in Water Resources.
30(6-7):1408-1420
9. Sharp; R.R.; Stoodley, P.; Adgie, M.; Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B. (2005): Visualization and characterization of dynamic patterns of flow,
growth, and activity of biofilms growing in porous media. Water Science and Technology. 52, 7:85-90.
- Borch, T.; Inskeep W.P.; Harwood, J.A.; R.
Gerlach, R. (2005): Impact of Ferrihydrite and
Anthraquinone-2,6-Disulphonate on the Reductive Transformation of
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene by a Gram Positive Fermenting Bacterium. Environmental Science and Technology.
39, 18:7126-7133.
- Seymour, J.D.;
Gage, J.P.; Codd, S.L.; Gerlach, R. (2004):
Anomalous Fluid Transport in Porous Media Induced by Biofilm Growth. Physical Review Letters. 93,
19:8101-8104.
- Borch, T.;
Gerlach, R. (2004): Use of Reversed
Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Diode Array Detection for
Complete Separation of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene Metabolites and EPA Method
8330 Explosives: Influence of Column Temperature and Ion-Pair Reagent.
Journal of Chromatography A. 1022: 83-94.
- Gage J.P.; Seymour, J.D.; Codd, S.L.; Gerlach, R. (2004): Biofilm Growth Induced Transformation of
Porous Media Dynamics. Eos Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstract
H11E-0342, 2004
- Sharp R.R.; Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B.; Adgie, M.;
Stoodley, P. (2004): Use of
Bioluminescence to Study Reactive Solute Transport and Biofilm Growth and
Activity in Porous Media. Eos Trans. AGU, 85(47), Fall Meet. Suppl.,
Abstract H13I-03, 2004
- Borch, T.,
Inskeep, W.P., Gerlach, R. (2004):
Iron (Hydr)Oxides and Electron Shuttles Govern the Fate of
2.4.6-Trinitrotoluene by a Soil Bacterium. June 5-11, 2004. Goldschmidt
Geochemistry Conference. Copenhagen, Denmark. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 68 (11), Supplement 1, p.
451.
- Borch, T.; Gerlach,
R.; Cunningham, A.B.; Peyton, B.M.; Apel,
W.A. (2002): Influence of
Biogenically Produced Fe(II) and Humic Acid Analogs on the Fate of
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT). Eos Trans. AGU, 83(47), Fall Meet. Suppl.,
Abstract B22E-11, 2002
- Nyman, J.L.; Cunningham, A.B.; Caccavo, F. Jr. & Gerlach,
R. (2002): Biogeochemical Elimination of Chromium (VI) from
Contaminated Water. Bioremediation
Journal. 6(1):39-55.
18. Gerlach, R.; Nyman, J.L.; Caccavo Jr., F. & Cunningham, A.B. (2000): Iron-Reducing
Bacteria Facilitate the Geochemical Elimination of Cr(VI) from Contaminated
Water. In Preprints of Extended Abstracts, 220th ACS National Meeting, August
20-24, 2000, Washington, D.C. Division of Environmental Chemistry. Preprints of
Extended Abstracts Vol. 40, No 2. pp. 397-400.
19. Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B. & Caccavo Jr., F. (2000): Biogeochemical
Processes Involving Dissimilatory Iron-Reducing Bacteria Can Influence the
Transformation of Carbon Tetrachloride by Iron Metal. In Preprints of Extended
Abstracts, 220th ACS National Meeting, August 20-24, 2000, Washington, D.C.
Division of Environmental Chemistry. Preprints of Extended Abstracts Vol. 40, No
2. pp. 355-357.
20. Bouwer, E.J., Rijnaarts,
H.H.M., Cunningham, A.B. & Gerlach, R.
(2000): Biofilms in Porous Media. In
Bryers, J.D. (Ed.): Biofilms II: Process
Analysis and Applications. Wiley-Liss,
Inc. pp. 123-158.
- Gerlach, R., Cunningham, A.B. & Caccavo, F. Jr. (2000): Dissimilatory Iron-Reducing Bacteria
Influence the Performance of Zero-Valent Iron. Environmental Science and
Technology, 34, 2461-2464.
- Gerlach, R.; Steiof, M.; Zhang, C. & Hughes, J.B. (1999): Low Aqueous Solubility Electron Donors for the
Reduction of Nitroaromatics in Anaerobic Sediments. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology 36, 91-104.
- Gerlach, R.; Caccavo, F. Jr. & Cunningham, A.B. (1999): Chromium Elimination with Microbially
Reduced Iron – Redox-Reactive Biobarriers, In: Alleman, B.C. and
Leeson, A.L. (eds.), Bioremediation of metals and inorganic compounds,
Proceedings from the Fifth In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium,
held April 19-22, 1999 in San Diego, CA, Battelle Press, Columbus,
Richland, pp. 13-18.
- Sharp, R.R.; Gerlach, R. & Cunningham, A.B. (1999): Bacterial Transport Issues Related to
Subsurface Biobarriers, In: Alleman, B.C. and Leeson, A.L. (eds.),
Engineered approaches for in situ bioremediation of chlorinated solvent
contamination, Proceedings from the Fifth In Situ and On-Site
Bioremediation Symposium, held April 19-22, 1999 in San Diego, CA,
Battelle Press, Columbus, Richland, pp. 211-216.
- Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B.; Caccavo Jr., F. (1998): Formation of Redox-Reactive Subsurface
Barriers Using Dissimilatory Metal-Reducing Bacteria. In Ericksen, L.E.
and Rankin, M.M. (eds.): Proceedings of the 1998 Conference on Hazardous
Waste Research – Bridging Gaps in Technology and Culture. Snowbird,
UT, May 18-21, 1998. Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Hazardous Substance
Research Center. Manhattan, Kansas. pp. 209-223.
- Gerlach, R.; Steiof, M. & Hughes, J.B. (1996): Anaerober Abbau substituierter
aromatischer Verbindungen in Sedimenten (Anaerobic Degradation of
Substituted Aromatic Compounds in Sediments). In Kreysa, G. & J.
Wiesner (eds.): In situ Sanierung von Böden. Resümee und
Beiträge des 11. DECHEMA Fachgesprächs
Umweltschutz / DECHEMA, Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Chemisches Apparatewesen, Chemische Technik und Biotechnologie e.V.,
Frankfurt am Main. pp. 305-314.
Presentations:
- Bithell Kirk, L., Childers, S., Peyton, B.M., Bozeman, J.,
Gerlach, R. (2008): In-Situ Subsurface Microbial Transformation of Selenium as
Source Control in Backfilled Phosphate Overburden, SE Idaho. Platform
Presentation. Montana Section AWRA 25th Annual Meeting. Water
Sustainability: Challenges for Montana. October 2 & 3, 2008,
Yellowstone Conference Center, Big Sky, Montana
- Gerlach, R.; Mitchell, A.C.; Schultz, L.N.; Sharp, R.R.;
Cunningham, A.B. (2008): Influence of Microbial Biofilms on Reactive Transport in
Porous Media. Invited Platform Presentation. 236th ACS National Meeting.
Philadelphia, PA, August 17-21, 2008.
- Troyer, L.D.; Borch, T.; Gerlach, R.; Inskeep, W.P. (2008): Iron (hydr)oxide
controls on (bio)reductive transformation of nitroaromatic compounds. Poster
Presentation. 236th ACS National Meeting. Philadelphia, PA, August 17-21,
2008.
- Mitchell, A.C.; Phillips, A.J.; Kaszuba, J.P.; Hollis, W.K;
Cunningham, A.B. Gerlach, R. (2008): Microbially Enhanced Carbonate
Mineralization and the Geologic Containment of CO2. Platform Presentation.
Goldschmidt Conference. Vancover (Canada). July 14th – 18th.
- Albaugh-VanEngelen, C.; Williamson, J.L.; Peyton, B. M.;
Gerlach. R. (2008): Hydrolysis and Biotransformation of Explosives. Poster Presentation.
American Society for Microbiology 108th General Meeting. Boston, MA, June
1 - 5, 2008.
- Gerlach, R (2008): Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Influencing
the Transformation of Mixed Contaminants in the Presence of Zero Valent
Iron and Biofilms. Invited Platform Presentation. Pittcon 2008. New
Orleans, LA. March 03, 2008. (Invited)
- Ballor, N.R.; Gerlach, R (2008): Bioremediation and the Role of Mixed
Pollution: TNT and Cr(VI). Poster
Presentation. 2008 Molecular Biosciences Program Poster Session. Montana
State University-Bozeman. Feb 29, 2008.
- Field, E. K.; VanEngelen,
M.; Peyton, B.M.; Lee, B.; Apel, W.A.; Gerlach, R. (2008): Isolation of Cellulose
Degrading Microorganisms and Their Influence on Contaminant Mobility and
Reduction. 2008 Molecular Biosciences Program Poster Session. Montana
State University-Bozeman. Feb 29, 2008.
- Mitchell, A.C.; Phillips, A.J.; Hiebert, R.; Gerlach, R.;
Kaszuba, J.; Hollis, W.K; Cunningham, A.B. (2008): Biofilm enhanced subsurface
sequestration of supercritical CO2. Poster Presentation. 2008 Molecular
Biosciences Program Poster Session. Montana State University-Bozeman. Feb
29, 2008.
- Albaugh-VanEngelen, C.; Peyton, B. M.; Gerlach. R. (2008): Alkaline
hydrolysis and Biotransformation of TNT by Thermoalkaliphiles from Yellowstone
National Park. Poster Presentation. 2008 Molecular Biosciences Program
Poster Session. Montana State University-Bozeman. Feb 29, 2008.
- Gerlach, R (2008): Biofilms in Bioenergy and Carbon
Sequestration. Platform Presentation. Center for Biofilm Engineering.
Technical Advisory Committee Meeting. February 06-07, 2008.
- Albaugh-VanEngelen, C.; Peyton, B. M.; Gerlach. R. (2008): Alkaline
hydrolysis and Biotransformation of TNT by Thermoalkaliphiles from
Yellowstone National Park. Poster Presentation. 2008 Research Coordination
Network, Thermal Biology Institute Workshop. Mammoth Hotsprings, WY. Jan
10-13, 2008.
- Mitchell, A.C.; Phillips, A.J.; Hiebert, R.; Gerlach, R.;
Kaszuba, J.; Hollis, W.K; Cunningham, A.B. (2007): Biofilm enhanced subsurface
sequestration of supercritical CO2. Poster Presentation at the
2007 American Geophysical
Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec 10-14, 2007.
- R. Gerlach (2007): Two Different Pathways of
TNT Transformation - Nitrogroup and Aromatic Ring Reduction - are Influenced
by Biotic and Abiotic Processes. Platform Presentation. Environmental
Subsurface Science Symposium. Eccles Conference Center. Utah State
University. Logan, UT. July 25-27, 2007. (Invited)
- Field, E. K.; VanEngelen,
M.; Peyton, B.M.; Lee, B.; Apel, W.A.; Gerlach, R. (2007): Isolation of Cellulose
Degrading Microorganisms and Their Influence on Contaminant Mobility and
Reduction. Poster Presentation. Center for Biofilm Engineering. Technical
Advisory Committee Meeting. July 24-26, 2007.
- Borch, T.; Gerlach, R.;
Peyton, B.M.; Fendorf, S. (2007): Identification of biogeochemical
mechanisms controlling the fate of uranium, phosphate, and
2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. Platform Presentation. ACS Northwest Regional
Meeting, Boise, ID, June 17 - 20, 2007.
- Albaugh-VanEngelen, C.; Peyton, B. M.; Gerlach. R. (2007): Alkaline
Hydrolysis and Biotransformation of TNT by Thermoalkaliphiles from
Yellowstone National Park. Poster Presentation. American Society for
Microbiology 107th General Meeting. Toronto (Canada). May 21-25,
2007.
- Field, E. K.; VanEngelen,
M.; Peyton, B.M.; Lee, B.; Apel, W.A.; Gerlach, R. (2007): Isolation of Cellulose
Degrading Microorganisms and Their Influence on Contaminant Mobility and
Reduction. Poster Presentation. American Society for Microbiology 107th
General Meeting. Toronto (Canada). May 21-25, 2007.
- Apel, W.A.; Lee, B.;
Peyton, B.M.; Gerlach, R.; Field, E. K.; VanEngelen, M. (2007): Mobility of Source
Zone Heavy Metals and Radionuclides: The Mixed Roles of Fermentative
Activity on Fate and Transport of U and Cr. Poster Presentation.
Department of Energy, Environmental Remediation Sciences Program (ERSP),
PI meeting, National Conference Center, Lansdowne, Virginia, April
16–19, 2007
- Phillips, A.; Gerlach,
R.; Hiebert, R.; James, G.; Spangler, L.; Cunningham, A. B. (2007): Biofilm Enhanced
Geologic Sequestration of Supercritical CO2. Poster Presentation. 4th ASM
Conference on Biofilms. Quebec City, Canada, March 25-29, 2007.
- Gerlach. R. (2006): Electron Transport in
Engineered Biofilms. Platform Presentation. Inland Northwest Research
Alliance (INRA) Subsurface Biotechnology and Bioremediation Symposium and
Workshop, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, June 22-23, 2006
- Peyton, B.M., R. Gerlach,
W. Apel, V. Sivaswamy, W. Smith, D. Newby, F. Roberto, S. Viamajala, J.
Barnes, T. Borch (2006): Reductive Transformation of Metals and Organics by Gram Positive
Environmental Isolates of the Genus Cellulomonas. Poster presented at
Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Orlando, FL, May
21-23, 2006.
- Steppler, D.; Gerlach. R.
(2006): Contaminant Degradation by Zero Valent Iron. Poster Presentation,
Council of Undergraduate Research (CUR), Posters on the Hill, April 25,
2006.
- Apel, W.A.; Lee, B.;
Peyton, B.M.; Gerlach, R. (2006): Mobility of Source Zone
Heavy Metals and Radionuclides:
The Mixed Roles of Fermentative Activity on Fate and Transport of U
and Cr. Poster Presentation. Department of Energy, Environmental
Remediation Sciences Program (ERSP), PI meeting, Airlie Conference Center,
Warrenton, VA, April 3-5, 2006
- Gerlach, R.; Gage, J.P.;
Adgie, M.; Seymour, J.D.; Codd, S.L.; Sharp, R.S.; Cunningham, A.B. (2005): Bacterial
Transport and Biofilm Formation in Porous Media. Platform Presentation at the INRA Environmental
and Subsurface Science Symposium, Big Sky, MT, September 19-21, 2005
- Field, E.K., Jennings,
L.K., Cunningham, A.B., Peyton, B.M., Gerlach, R., and Apel, W.A. (2005): Influence of Carbon Source, Iron
Minerals, and Electron Shuttling Compounds on the Bacterial Reduction of
Chromate. Poster Presentation at the INRA Environmental and Subsurface
Science Symposium, Big Sky, MT, September 19-21, 2005
- Gerlach, R.; Borch, T.; Ballor,
N.R.; Cunningham, A.B.; Peyton, B.M.; Apel, W.A. (2005): Fermenters and
Reductive Contaminant Transformation Processes in the Subsurface. Platform
Presentation. The Joint International Symposia for Subsurface Microbiology
(ISSM 2005) and Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB XVII). Jackson Hole, WY.
August 14-19, 2005.
- Gerlach, R.; Gage, J.P.; Adgie, M.; Seymour,
J.D.; Codd, S.L.; Sharp, R.S.; Cunningham, A.B. (2005): Bacterial Transport and Biofilm Formation in Porous Media. Platform
Presentation. The Joint International Symposia for Subsurface Microbiology
(ISSM 2005) and Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB XVII). Jackson Hole, WY.
August 14-19, 2005.
- Sivaswamy, V.; Peyton, B. M. ; Viamajala, S. ; Gerlach,
R.; Apel, W.A.; Sani, R.; A. Dohnalkova, A. (2005): Uranium Immobilization by Cellulomonas. Platform
Presentation. The Joint International Symposia for Subsurface Microbiology
(ISSM 2005) and Environmental Biogeochemistry (ISEB XVII). Jackson Hole, WY.
August 14-19, 2005.
- Gerlach, R. (2005): Biofilm-Based
Technologies for Mixed-Waste Remediation – Influence of Biofilms,
Minerals, and Organic Matter on the Fate of TNT, TCE, and Cr(VI).
Presentation at U.S. Army Research Office Workshop. High Hampton Inn.
Cashiers, NC. May, 2005.
- Gage, J.P.;
Seymour, J.D.; Codd, S.L.; Gerlach, R. (2004):
Biofilm Growth Induced Transformation of Porous Media Dynamics. Poster Presentation
at the 2004 American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec
13-17, 2004
- Sharp, R.R.; Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B.; Adgie, M.;
Stoodley, P. (2004): Use of
Bioluminescence to Study Reactive Solute Transport and Biofilm Growth and
Activity in Porous Media. Platform Presentation at the 2004 American Geophysical
Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA, Dec 13-17, 2004
33. Ballor, N.R.; Gerlach, R (2004): Bioremediation and the Role of Mixed
Pollution: TNT and Cr(VI). Poster Presentation at the 2004 Annual Meeting, American
Institute of Chemical Engineers. Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX. November
7-12, 2004
- Ballor,
N.R.; Gerlach, R (2004): Bioremediation and the Role of Mixed
Pollution: TNT and Cr(VI). Poster Presentation at the 2004 Fall Meeting of
the Michigan American Society for Microbiology. Crystal Mountain Resort, MI, October 8/9, 2004
- Gerlach R. &
Matheson, L. (2004): Reductive
Transformation of Cr(VI) and 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) in Batch and Flow
Systems – Scale-up Considerations. Platform Presentation at the 4th
INRA Subsurface Science Symposium, Spokane, WA, Sept 20-22, 2004
- Gerlach, R.;
Cunningham, A.B.; Viamajala, S.; Peyton, B.M.; Apel, W.A. (2004): Influence of Carbon Sources, Electron
Shuttling Compounds, and Iron Minerals on the Reduction of Oxidized
Contaminants. Platform Presentation at the 4th INRA Subsurface Science
Symposium, Spokane, WA, Sept 20-22, 2004
- Sivaswamy, V.;
Peyton, B.M.; Viamajala, S.; Gerlach, R.; Apel, W.A. (2004): Uranium Immobilization by Cellulomonas.
Poster Presentation at the 4th INRA Subsurface Science Symposium, Spokane,
WA, Sept 20-22, 2004
- Gage, J.P.;
Seymour, J.D.; Codd, S.L.; Gerlach, R. (2004):
Biofilm Growth Induced Transformation of Porous Media Dynamics. Platform
Presentation at the 4th INRA Subsurface Science Symposium, Spokane, WA,
Sept 20-22, 2004
- Borch, T.; Inskeep W.P.; R. Gerlach,
R. (2004): Iron (Hydr)Oxides and
Electron Shuttles Govern the Fate of 2.4.6-Trinitrotoluene by a Soil
Bacterium. Platform Presentation. Goldschmidt Conference - Processes in
Geochemistry, Copenhagen (Denmark), June 05-11, 2004.
- Gerlach, R.; Borch,. T; Cunningham, A.B.; Viamajala, S.;
Peyton, B.M.; Apel, W.A. (2004): Influence of Electron Shuttling Compounds and Iron
Minerals on the Reduction of Metals and Organics. Platform presentation.
4th International Conference on Remediation of Chlorinated and
Recalcitrant Compounds, Monterey, CA, May 24–27, 2004.
- Matheson, L.J.; Goldberg, W.C.; Gerlach, R. (2004): Biofilm
Restoration of Contaminated Army Sites. Presentation at U.S. Army Research
Office Workshop. High Hampton Inn. Cashiers, NC. April, 2004.
- Gage, J.P.;
Codd, S.L.; Gerlach, R.; Seymour, J.D. (2003): NMR Microscopy of Microbial Transport in Porous
Media. Poster Presentation, ASM Conference on Biofilms – Biofilms
2003. Victoria, BC, November 02-06, 2003.
- Gerlach, R.;
Borch, T.; Cunningham, A.B.; Viamajala, S.; Peyton, B.M.; Apel, W.A. (2003): Influence of Electron Shuttling Compounds on the
Reduction of Metals and Organics. Platform Presentation at the
3rd INRA Subsurface Science Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT, October 05-08,
2003
- Viamajala, S.;
Peyton, B.M.; Sivaswamy, V.; Apel, W.A.; Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B. (2003): Cr(VI) Reduction by Cellulomonas: Multi-Scale
Flow-Cell Experiments. Platform Presentation at the 3rd INRA
Subsurface Science Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT, October 05-08, 2003
- Borch, T.;
Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B. (2003):
Iron (III) Minerals Can Impact the Microbial
Reduction of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene. Platform Presentation at
the 3rd INRA Subsurface Science Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT, October
05-08, 2003
- Gage, J.P.;
Seymour, J.D.; Codd, S.L.; Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B. (2003): NMR Imaging of Microbial Transport in
Porous Media. Platform Presentation at the 3rd INRA Subsurface Science
Symposium, Salt Lake City, UT, October 05-08, 2003
- Gage, J.P.;
Codd, S.L.; Gerlach, R.; Seymour, J.D (2003): NMR Microscopy of Microbial Transport in Porous
Media. Poster Presentation at the 7th International Conference on Magnetic
Resonance Microscopy, Ampere Society, Snowbird, UT, September 20-25, 2003.
- Viamajala, S.;
Gerlach, R.; Peyton, B.M.; Apel, W.A.; Cunningham, A.B.; Petersen, J.N. (2003): Passive Reactive Barrier (PRB) for In
Situ Remediation of Cr(VI): Bench- and Meso-Scale Tests using Cellulomonas
spp. Platform Presentation. 2nd European Bioremediation Conference.
Chania, Crete, Greece, June 30-July 04, 2003
- Viamajala, S.; Peyton, B.M.; Apel, W.A.; Gerlach, R.;
Cunningham, A.B. (2003): Cr(VI) Reduction by Cellulomonas spp. — Batch Kinetics and Meso-Scale Tests. Platform presentation.
7th International Symposium on In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium,
Orlando, FL, June 02–05, 2003.
- Borch, T.; Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B. (2003): 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene
(TNT) Biodegradation by a Novel Gram-Positive Iron-Reducing Bacterium. Platform presentation. 7th
International Symposium on In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium,
Orlando, FL, June 02–05, 2003
- Gerlach, R.; Borch, T.;
Cunningham, A.B. (2003): Biofilm-Based Technologies for
Mixed-Waste Remediation. Presentation at U.S. Army Research Office
Workshop. High Hampton Inn. Cashiers, NC. April 27-30, 2003.
- Borch, T.; Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B.; Peyton, B.M.; Apel
W.A. & Inskeep, W.P. (2002):
Influence of Biogenically Produced Fe(II), Electron Shuttling, and Humic
Acid on the Fate of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). December 19th, 2002.
Department of Chemistry, Lund University, Sweden.
- Borch, T.;
Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B.; Peyton, B.M.; Apel, W.A. (2002):
Influence of Biogenically Produced Fe(II) and Humic Acid Analogs on the
Fate of 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT). Platform presentation. Fall Meeting,
American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, CA, December 6-10, 2002.
- Borch, T.;
Jordan, R.N.; Cunningham, A.B. & Gerlach, R. (2002): Use of High Performance Liquid
Chromatography – Diode Array Detection for the Improved Analysis of
2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene and its Reduced Metabolites. Poster Presentation at
the 2nd INRA Subsurface Science Symposium, Boise, ID, October 13-16, 2002
- Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B.; Peyton, B.M. & Apel, W.A. (2002) Iron Mediated Reduction of Reducible
Contaminants by Cellulomonas spp.
Platform Presentation at the 2nd INRA Subsurface Science Symposium, Boise,
ID, October 13-16, 2002
- Viamajala, S.;
Peyton, B.M.; Petersen, J.N.; Apel, W.A.; Sani, R.; Gerlach, R. &
Cunningham, A.B. (2002): Metal
reduction with Cellulomonas isolates obtained from Cr(VI)-contaminated
aquifers. Platform Presentation at the 2nd INRA Subsurface Science
Symposium, Boise, ID, October 13-16, 2002
- Viamajala S., Gerlach R., Sani R.,
Smith W.A., Peyton B.M., Petersen J.N., Cunningham A.B., Apel W.A. (2002):
Direct and Fe(II)-Mediated Chromate Reduction by Cellulomonas spp.. Poster Presentation at the 2nd INRA
Subsurface Science Symposium, Boise, ID, October 13-16, 2002
- Adgie, M.;
Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B.; Sharp, R.S. (2002): Development of a Biofilm Biobarrier: Evaluation of
Activity and Effect on Hydraulic Conductivity of Porous Media. Institute
of Hazardous Materials Managers National Conference. Louisville, Kentucky.
October 2002.
- Gerlach, R.;
Nyman, J.L.; Cunningham, A.B.; Caccavo Jr., F. & Apel, W.A. (2001): Iron-Reducing Bacteria
and Permeable Reactive Subsurface Barriers. Platform presentation. 1st
INRA Subsurface Science Symposium, Idaho Falls, ID, September 06–07,
2001.
60. Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B.
& Caccavo, F. Jr. (2001): Explanation of Bacterial Transport Enhancement by Starvation. Poster
presentation. 1st INRA Subsurface Science Symposium, Idaho Falls,
ID, September 06–07, 2001.
61. Gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B.
& Caccavo, F. Jr. (2001): Explanation of Bacterial Transport Enhancement by Starvation. Poster presentation.
6th International Symposium on In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation
Symposium, San Diego, CA, June 02–07, 2001.
- Gerlach, R.; Nyman, J.L.; Cunningham, A.B.; Caccavo Jr., F.
& Apel, W.A. (2001): Iron-Reducing Bacteria and Permeable Reactive Subsurface
Barriers. Platform presentation. 6th International Symposium on In Situ
and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium, San Diego, CA, June 02–07,
2001.
- gerlach, R.; Cunningham, A.B. & Caccavo Jr., F. (2000): Dissimilatory Iron-Reducing Bacteria Can
Influence the Reduction of Carbon Tetrachloride by Iron Metal.
Presentation at the Hazardous Waste Research 2000 Conference in Denver,
CO, 23-25 May 2000.
- Gerlach, R.; Caccavo, F. Jr. & Cunningham, A. B. (1999): Chromium(VI)-Elimination from
Contaminated Groundwaters Using Redox-Reactive Biobarriers. Poster
Presentation at 1999 Conference on Hazardous Waste Research –
Gateways to Environmental Solutions. Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Hazardous
Substance Research Center. St. Louis, MO, May 24-27, 1999.
- Gerlach, R. (1998): Formation
of Reactive Subsurface Barriers Using Dissimilatory Metal-Reducing
Bacteria. Presentation at Engineering Biological Processes for
Environmental Enhancement. Annual Meeting of the Pacific Northwest Region
of the ASAE in Fairmont Hot Springs , MT. Sept. 10-12, 1998.
Short Courses and
Invited Lectures
- Microbially Enhanced Geologic Carbon Sequestration. Invited Lecture.
November 13, 2008. Oregon State University. Corvallis, OR
- Influence of Microbial Biofilms on Reactive Transport in Porous
Media. Invited Platform Presentation. August 17, 2008. 236th ACS National
Meeting. Philadelphia, PA
- Oxidation-Reduction Reactions Influencing the Transformation of
Mixed Contaminants in the Presence of Zero Valent Iron and Biofilms. Invited
Platform Presentation. March 03, 2008. Pittcon 2008. New Orleans, LA
- Subsurface Biofilm Barriers for the Control of Contaminated
Groundwater. Invited Lecture. November 29, 2007. Oregon State University.
Corvallis, OR
- Bioremediation, Bioenergy, Carbon Sequestration, and Mass
Spectrometry - How does all this fit into the CBE? - or: What is going on
in the Gerlach Labs? Invited Lecture. February 21, 2008. Montana State
University, Center for Biofilm Engineering. Bozeman, MT
- Identification of Trinitrotoluene (TNT) Transformation Products
using Liquid Chromatography Combined with Ion Trap Mass Spectrometry.
Invited Lecture. November 02, 2007. Montana State University, Department
of Chemistry. Bozeman, MT
- Two Different Pathways of TNT Transformation - Nitrogroup and
Aromatic Ring Reduction - are Influenced by Biotic and Abiotic Processes.
Platform Presentation. Environmental Subsurface Science Symposium. Eccles
Conference Center. Utah State University. Logan, UT. July 25-27, 2007.
- R. Gerlach (2007): Effects of biofilm accumulation on hydrodynamics
and mass transport in porous media: a comparison of constant head vs
constant flow conditions. June 28, 2007. Workshop on Biofilm Mechanics. Montana
State University, Bozeman, MT. June 28-30, 2007.
- Chromatographic and Mass Spectrometric Detection and Identification
of Small Molecules in Environmental Research. Invited
Lecture. March 02, 2007. Utah State University. Logan, UT
- Chromatographic and Mass Spectrometric Observation of the
Transformation of Organic Compounds at Elevated Temperatures. Invited
Lecture. February 26, 2007. Montana State University, Thermal Biology
Institute. Bozeman, MT
- Biofilms in biotechnology, medicine and bioremediation. Guest
Lecture PS101/VTMB101/MB110. Montana State University – Bozeman. Nov
21, 2005, Nov 13, 2006, Nov 19, 2007, Nov 19, 2008
- Organizer, Breakout Session “Electron Transport in
Biofilms” INRA Subsurface Biotechnology and Bioremediation Symposium
and Workshop, June 22-23, 2006, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT
- Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA) Subsurface Biotechnology
and Bioremediation Symposium and Workshop, Conference Organizer with Al
Cunningham, Brent Peyton, and Ron Sims, June 22-23, 2006, Montana State
University, Bozeman, MT
- Subsurface Biofilm Barriers for Control of Contaminant Transport. Invited
Lecture. January 17, 2006. Utah State University. Logan, UT
- Mixed Waste Remediation - Influence of Co-Contaminants, Organic
Matter, and Iron Minerals on the Transformation of TNT, Chromium, and
Chlorinated Aliphatics. Invited Lecture. November 18, 2005, Georgia Tech.
Atlanta, GA
- Subsurface Biofilm Barriers for Control of Contaminant Transport. Invited
Lecture. September 26, 2005. Washington State University. Pullman, WA.
- An Introduction to Bioremediation. Guest Lecture PS101/VTMB101/MB110.
Montana State University – Bozeman. Sept 16, 2003, April 06, 2004,
Nov 22, 2004.
- Short Course on Bioremediation of Reducible Metals. Instructors: Cunningham, A.B.; Apel, W.A.; Caccavo Jr.,
F.; Peyton, B.M.; Petersen, J.S.; Gerlach, R. 6th International
Symposium on In Situ and On-Site Bioremediation Symposium, San Diego, CA,
June 06, 2001.
- Biobarriers - A Novel Technology for the Containment and Remediation
of Contaminated Groundwater. Invited Lectures. September 12, 2001:
University of Stuttgart, Germany; May 04, 2001: RWTH Aachen, Germany;
August 25, 2000: University of Iowa, Iowa City.
- Iron-Reducing Bacteria and Permeable Reactive Subsurface Barriers. Invited
Lecture. September 11, 2001: EAWAG, Zürich, Switzerland.

Questions?
Suggestions? Send e-mail to robin_g@.biofilm.montana.edu
