Project Summary: The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the role of heterotrophic protists in a denitrifying dynamic membrane bioreactor (DMBR) in terms of their effect on biofilm structural properties, microbial community composition, and denitrification efficiency through grazing. Two denitrifying DMBRs run in parallel, with and without suppression of heterotrophic protists. The research represents the first study assessing the role of heterotrophic protists in a dynamic membrane bioreactor systems.

PhD student lead: Alex Song

Undergraduate Students: Chaitan Saka, Sabrina Van Putten

Funding Source:

Department of Energy DOE/EERE/ Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) Research and Development for Advanced Water Resource Recovery Systems, DE-FOA-0002336.
Intergrated Training in Microbial Systems Fellowship

Related Publications and Presentations :

• Song, H., Dowdell, K., Delafont, V., Skerlos, S., Raskin, L. (2025). Reimagining Water Treatment: The Untapped Potential of Heterotrophic Protists. ACS Environmental Science and Technology. (Under review)
• Song, H., Giammalvo, K., Fairley-Wax, T., Lakshminarasimman, N., Skerlos, S., Raskin, L. Niche Partitioning of Denitrifiers and Biomass-Associated Substrate Support Efficient Denitrification in a Dynamic Membrane Bioreactor. Poster Presentartion at IWA 11th Microbial Ecology and Water Engineering Conference. (2-5 June, 2025, Atlanta, GA. United States)
• Song, H., Dowdell, K., Delafont, V., Skerlos, S., Raskin, L. Importance and Potential Engineering Applications of Heterotrophic Protists in Water Treatment Systems. Poster Presentation at AEESP2025 Research and Education Conference. (20-22 May 2025, Durham, NC, United States)
• Song, H., Skerlos, S., Raskin, L. The Ecological Importance and Potential Engineering Applications of Protozoa in Water Treatment Systems. Oral Presentation at Integrated Training in Microbial Systems Spring Retreat at University of Michigan. (30 April 2024, Ann Arbor MI)