National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Initiation Award (RIA): Metagenomic Approach to Assess Water Quality and Microbial Load Variability of an Urban Watershed
This project explored how microbial communities, microscopic organisms like bacteria, shape the health of urban ecosystems. Focusing on the Proctor Creek Watershed in Atlanta, Georgia, researchers investigated how urbanization affects water quality and microbial diversity. Using both traditional indicators such as E. coli and advanced DNA sequencing, the team established important baseline data on microbial communities and began planning for long-term monitoring systems that can capture rapid changes during storm and flooding events.
The project advanced science by deepening understanding of how human activity influences freshwater ecosystems. This knowledge is critical for building more resilient and sustainable urban environments.
A major impact of the project was on education and workforce development. Undergraduate and postdoctoral researchers gained hands-on training in laboratory and field methods and presented their work at national meetings, including the National Council on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), the Ecological Society of America (ESA) Annual Meetings, and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS). Students earned travel awards and recognition for their research, and several have gone on to graduate and professional schools. Of note, one trainee, Mr. Myles Gosha, graduated as Salutatorian from Morehouse College and received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.
Through research, mentoring, and national engagement, this project not only advanced ecological science but also supported NSF’s mission to broaden participation in STEM and strengthen the next generation of scientists.
This project explored how microbial communities, microscopic organisms like bacteria, shape the health of urban ecosystems. Focusing on the Proctor Creek Watershed in Atlanta, Georgia, researchers investigated how urbanization affects water quality and microbial diversity. Using both traditional indicators such as E. coli and advanced DNA sequencing, the team established important baseline data on microbial communities and began planning for long-term monitoring systems that can capture rapid changes during storm and flooding events.
The project advanced science by deepening understanding of how human activity influences freshwater ecosystems. This knowledge is critical for building more resilient and sustainable urban environments.
A major impact of the project was on education and workforce development. Undergraduate and postdoctoral researchers gained hands-on training in laboratory and field methods and presented their work at national meetings, including the National Council on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), the Ecological Society of America (ESA) Annual Meetings, and the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists (ABRCMS). Students earned travel awards and recognition for their research, and several have gone on to graduate and professional schools. Of note, one trainee, Mr. Myles Gosha, graduated as Salutatorian from Morehouse College and received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship.
Through research, mentoring, and national engagement, this project not only advanced ecological science but also supported NSF’s mission to broaden participation in STEM and strengthen the next generation of scientists.
