Wastewater Based Epidemiology
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In the fall of 2020 I opened a wet lab at the University of Michigan. Thanks to a pilot grant from the EGLE department in Michigan , a PTSP fellowship, and a follow up MDHHS SEWER award, I was able to purchase equipment to run digital PCR (ddPCR) to analyze wastewater samples for SARS-CoV-2. Krista Wigginton and I have partnered with the wastewater treatment plants from Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Flint, Tecumseh, and Jackson to collect daily influent and settled solids samples. Ongoing results of this work can be seen on our Dashboard. We started sampling in August 2020 and sampling will continue through at least July 2023. We have multiple sub-projects, focused on methods development (solids, other pathogens, modifying autosamplers, etc.) and additional sampling locations from other funding sources.
Feb 2022 update: We have published work comparing solids & influent methods and we have a preprint up showing how WBE can capture Influenza A transmission. We also have exciting hiring updates coming soon! A new dashboard, with info on multiple pathogens, is being constructed.
Dec 2021 update: We have partnered with Betsy Foxman to monitor anti-microbial resistant pathogens in wastewater - this work will begin in January. We will be adding another wastewater treatment plant to our wastewater monitoring project (Tecumseh). The University of Michigan awarded our team with funding to hire additional personnel. We have hired a data scientist to revamp the dashboard to include the new WWTP and additional pathogens.
Nov 2021 update: Working with collaborators at Stanford University, we have developed primers for influenza (manuscript on the way) and RSV. These two pathogens, in addition to norovirus, will be monitored at each of our WWTP sites - these data will be added to our dashboard if/when I ever find time.
Sept 2021 update: The actual lab space continues to grow - new equipment has been arriving continuously for the last 3 months
July 2021 update: Krista and I are working with the NIH/NBIB and CareEvolution on the Say Yes! to COVID testing project - we received a small award to monitor an additional site in SE MI for SARS-CoV-2.
June 2021 update: Welcome Khaitlyn, Michelle, and Shreya to the WBE team!
May 2021 update: Krista and I were awarded a $2.6M grant from MDHHS to monitor wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 at four WWTPs through July 2023!
Below you can see Aaron and Kaitlyn in the lab last fall. We have added new and exciting equipment since these photos! We are currently looking for students at all levels (undergrads, masters, & Ph.D.)! Please contact me if interested.
Feb 2022 update: We have published work comparing solids & influent methods and we have a preprint up showing how WBE can capture Influenza A transmission. We also have exciting hiring updates coming soon! A new dashboard, with info on multiple pathogens, is being constructed.
Dec 2021 update: We have partnered with Betsy Foxman to monitor anti-microbial resistant pathogens in wastewater - this work will begin in January. We will be adding another wastewater treatment plant to our wastewater monitoring project (Tecumseh). The University of Michigan awarded our team with funding to hire additional personnel. We have hired a data scientist to revamp the dashboard to include the new WWTP and additional pathogens.
Nov 2021 update: Working with collaborators at Stanford University, we have developed primers for influenza (manuscript on the way) and RSV. These two pathogens, in addition to norovirus, will be monitored at each of our WWTP sites - these data will be added to our dashboard if/when I ever find time.
Sept 2021 update: The actual lab space continues to grow - new equipment has been arriving continuously for the last 3 months
July 2021 update: Krista and I are working with the NIH/NBIB and CareEvolution on the Say Yes! to COVID testing project - we received a small award to monitor an additional site in SE MI for SARS-CoV-2.
June 2021 update: Welcome Khaitlyn, Michelle, and Shreya to the WBE team!
May 2021 update: Krista and I were awarded a $2.6M grant from MDHHS to monitor wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 at four WWTPs through July 2023!
Below you can see Aaron and Kaitlyn in the lab last fall. We have added new and exciting equipment since these photos! We are currently looking for students at all levels (undergrads, masters, & Ph.D.)! Please contact me if interested.
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