Biology
Dennis Steffensen
Principal Research Biologist
B Sc Hons, University of Canterbury , NZ, Diploma of Teaching, Christchurch Teachers College, PhD, Botany, University of Canterbury.
Dennis has 27 years experience in the water industry in the management of and research into biological aspects of water quality. As the Principal Biologist, Dennis manages AWQC's biological research projects with particular reference to the management of water supply reservoirs and the environmental impacts of effluent discharges to coastal waters. Dennis has published extensively on marine and fresh water algal ecology and has a particular interest in toxic algal species. Dennis is also the Deputy Chief Executive of the Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment. The CRC is a national research program focused on helping the industry provide good quality water at an affordable price. It involves 29 parties through out Australia and has an international reputation especially in the management of noxious blue-green algae.
Mike Burch
Senior Research Biologist
BSc, BSc (Hons).
Michael Burch is recognised by water authorities in Australian and internationally as an expert in the management of biological water quality problems, in particular cyanobacteria and their toxins. He is currently a Senior Research Biologist at the Australian Water Quality Centre at the South Australian Water Corporation and the National Algal Manager for the Agriculture and Natural Resources Management Council of Australia and New Zealand. In the latter role he provides the national focus and project management for algal bloom issues by coordinating the activities of government water agencies at the local, State and Commonwealth levels. His responsibilities include the formulation of algal and toxin guidelines for drinking, recreational and agricultural water, standardised monitoring protocols for cyanobacteria and toxins, and coordination and advice on developments in national and international algal research. As well as being National Algal Manager, Michael has been appointed to numerous specialist bodies including the Technical Advisory Group of Algal Toxicity of the Murray Darling Basin Commission, The South Australian Blue-Green Algal Task Force, and the NHMRC's Microbiological Working Party for Cyanobacteria (Chairman). Michael was also one of the twenty-six experts contributing to the World Health Organisation's 1999 monograph on cyanobacteria management.
Andrew Humpage
Senior Research Scientist
BSc Biochemistry/clinical biochemistry, Massey University, New Zealand. Graduate Diploma (Medical Laboratory Science), South Australian Institute of Technology, Australia, Master Of Applied Science, University of South Australia, Australia, PhD (Tumour Promotion By Microcystin), University of Adelaide, Australia.
Andrew worked for AWQC from 1991 – 1993 as a research scientist assessing the distribution of toxic cyanobacterial (blue-green algae) in the Murray Darling Basin , and identifying the types of toxins produced. From 1994 - 1999 he undertook PhD studies at the University of Adelaide followed by 2 years as a Post-Doc studying the toxicity and carcinogenicity of cyanobacterial toxins. Andrew returned to AWQC in 2000. Andrew's competencies include toxicology, especially of cyanobacterial toxins, mammalian cell-culture application to toxicology and toxicity testing, risk assessment and project management.
Peter Hobson
Research Scientist
Associate Diploma in Applied Chemistry, South Australian Institute of Technology (The University of South Australia), Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemistry and Microbiology, The University of South Australia, Graduate Diploma in Environmental Studies, The University of Adelaide, Doctor of Philosophy (Science), Biology, The Flinders University of South Australia.
Peter has worked in the Research Biology section of AWQC since 2001 where he has worked on various projects dealing with the ecology and control of toxic cyanobacteria as well as the health issues associated with exposure to cyanobacteria. Peter's competencies include investigation of ecology and management of toxic cyanobacteria, investigation of alternative algal control methods and toxicity and health risk assessment of toxic cyanobacteria.
Tim Kildea
Senior Marine Biologist
BSc (Hons) Botany, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Tim has over ten years experience working on temperate marine ecosystems, in which time he has developed an extensive knowledge of benthic flora and fauna, particularly within South Australia . He has been working for the AWQC as the senior marine biologist since 2002. Tim's competencies include environmental assessment work, benthic surveys, experimental design, statistical analysis, database management, federal and state policy and legislation pertaining to environment and fisheries management and experienced in community consultation techniques and conflict mediation.
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Microbiology
Paul Monis
Senior Research Microbiologist
BSc (Hons) Microbiology & Immunology, University of Adelaide, Australia. PhD Microbiology & Immunology, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Paul worked at the University of Adelaide from 1996 – 1998 as a research scientist investigating the molecular evolution of the parasite Giardia . From 1998 – 2002 Paul was appointed as a Research Microbiologist at the AWQC. In this position he was responsible for the development of rapid methods for the isolation and identification of Cryptosporidium and Giardia from water. Paul was appointed as Senior Research Microbiologist in August 2002 and manages the Microbiology Research and Development Group. Paul's competencies include project management, molecular diagnostics, gene technology and evolutionary biology.
Bret Robinson
Senior Protozoologist
BSc (Hons) Zoology, MSc Water Microbiology, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Bret worked for AWQC from 1972 – 1981 as a microbiologist, establishing methods and a program for monitoring pathogenic amoebae in water sources and supplies. In 1981 he was appointed senior scientist in the new Protozoology Unit, where he was responsible for developing and validating control measures for amoebae using chloramination, and for early development of methods for detecting Cryptosporidium and Giardia in water. As Senior Protozoologist in an expanded Microbiology Unit, Bret is currently implementing DNA-based methods for rapid identification of amoebae and continuing research on the diversity and ecology of amoebae in the environment. He is a laboratory assessor for the national Association of Testing Authorities and a member of its working group on laboratory accreditation for Cryptosporidium and Giardia methods. Bret's competencies include detection and identification of amoebae, experimental design and interpretation of disinfection kinetics, detection and identification of enteric protozoa and photomicroscopy and image analysis.
Alexandra Keegan
Molecular Microbiologist
BSc (Hons) Microbiology, Flinders University of South Australia. PhD Applied and Molecular Ecology, University of Adelaide, Australia.
Alex worked at the South Austalian Research and Development Institute, Field Crops Pathology from 1999- 2000 as a research officer developing diagnostic methods for the detection of plant borne diseases. From 2000 – 2002 Alex was appointed as a Research Microbiologist at AWQC. In this position she was responsible for the evaluation of disinfection methods for the inactivation of Cryptosporidium in water and development of a cell culture- real-time PCR assay for the detection and quantitation of infective Cryptosporidium . Alex was appointed as Molecular Microbiologist in July 2003 and is Project Leader for CRC WQ&T project 2404 Optimising the water treatment and disinfection train for pathogen destruction. Alex's competencies include microbiology, cell culture, molecular detection methods and project management.
Steven Giglio
Research Microbiologist
B. Appl. Sci. Med. Lab. Sci, University of South Australia, Australia. PhD Candidate, University of South Australia, Australia.
Steven worked at Gribbles Pathology from 1994-2001 as a microbiologist involved in laboratory diagnosis of disease and the development of rapid methods for the identification of pathogenic bacteria and viruses. During this time he led the biological testing division, primarily involved in the detection of Legionella in industrial waters. In 2001 he moved to Abbott's Pathology where he established the microbiology section and in 2002 moved to the AWQC as a Research Microbiologist in the Microbiology group. Steve specialises in rapid method development using gene technologies, and management of consultancies.
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Organic Chemistry
Brenton Nicholson
Senior Chemist Organic Chemistry Research
B Sc (Hons) Organic Chemistry; PhD Organic Chemistry; University of Adelaide; Grad Dip. Business Admin., University of South Australia
Senior Adjunct Research Fellow - University of South Australia
Joined SA Water (then Engineering and Water Supply Dept) in 1975. Rose through the ranks of Special Testing and Organic Chemistry to become the Senior Chemist Organic Chemistry in 1986 and then Organic Chemistry Research in 1998 on the formation of that research-based unit. Currently manages projects and staff within that unit. Research projects involve development of analytical methods for algal toxins, formation of disinfection by-products and development of models for optimising flocculation for organics removal in water treatment.
John Papageorgiou
Senior Research Officer
B Sc (Hons) Chemistry/Biochemistry Flinders University of SA; PhD Organic Chemistry, University of Adelaide.
Employed as a Quality Control Chemist at the South Australian Brewing Company in 1989 for 2 years following the completion of an honours degree. Returned to study for PhD in organic chemistry (PhD) at the University of Adelaide. Subsequently employed as a Research Officer (~6 months contract position) at the AWQC. Then moved to the Sugar Research Institute in Mackay, Queensland to take up a position as an Analytical Chemist. After 2 years moved to Brisbane to take up a 3 year contract position in a Biotech start-up company (Alchemia) as both a Synthetic Carbohydrate and Senior Analytical Chemist. Duties involved the development and implementation of novel synthetic and analytical methods for biologically active carbohydrates of medicinal value. Following completion of contract at Alchemia, moved back to Adelaide to take up my current post at the AWQC in the area of algal toxin research. Currently leading the CRC/AWWARF funded project “Determination of the Significance of Cyanobacterial Lipopolysaccharides” as part of a larger project “Determination and Significance of Emerging Algal Toxins”.
Con Kapralos
Senior Technical Officer
Associate Diploma in Medical Laboratory Science, University of South Australia
Commenced employment an the Repatriation General Hospital in 1990, in the Clinical Chemistry laboratory where extensive experience and knowledge of all areas of Clinical Chemistry, which includes Automated Chemistries, Protein Chemistry, Endocrine Assays, Therapeutic Drug Monitoring was gained. In June 2001 joined AWQC as the Senior Technical Officer in the Organic Chemistry Research Unit. Main duties include laboratory management and assisting researchers in a number of projects, mainly dealing with algal toxins.
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Water Treatment
Mary Drikas
Principal Research Chemist Water Treatment
B Sc (Hons) Adelaide University, Post Graduate Diploma in Analytical Chemistry, South Australian Institute of Technology.
Mary Drikas joined the laboratory in 1976 and has been the Principal Chemist of the Water Treatment Unit since 1987. Research projects she has been involved with include conventional water treatment and dissolved air flotation, biological activated carbon using preozonation, evaluation of methods for determining assimilable organic carbon, assessment of magnetic anion exchange resin for the removal of natural organic matter, investigations of the use of alternative disinfectants and evaluation of the use of activated carbon and oxidants in the removal of taste and odours and algal toxins..
Gayle Newcombe
Senior Research Chemist
Doctor of Philosophy, University of South Australia. Master of Applied Science, University of South Australia. Bachelor of Science, La Trobe University, Melbourne.
Gayle joined SA Water in 1988 and she specialises in adsorption and oxidation processes for the removal of algal metabolites and natural organic material. Gayle also practices in the areas of biological treatments processes for the removal of problem compounds. Gayle has extensive experience in leading research projects investigating activated carbon treatment (adsorption and biofiltration) and ozonation of taste and odour compounds, NOM and algal toxins. These investigations have been undertaken at both laboratory and pilot plant scale.
Jim Morran
Senior Research Scientist
Honours degree Bachelor of Science, University of Adelaide.
Jim joined AWQC 1981. Jim is responsible for the investigation and development of water treatment processes for removal of Natural Organic Matter and co-inventor of the MIEX ™ process for removal of DBP precursors by anion exchange resin. Jim is responsible for carrying out a major project on disinfection byproducts including kinetic studies of disinfection byproduct formation mechanisms (in particular trihalomethanes) and evaluation of control measures including activated carbon, alum flocculation and artificial resins.
Chris Chow
Senior Research Officer
Doctor of Philosophy, University of South Australia. Master of Applied Science , University of South Australia. Bachelor of Applied Science in Chemistry, South Australian Institute of Technology.
Dr. Chris Chow is a senior research scientist with the Water Treatment unit. He has over 10 years experience in the water industry, including 7 years with the AWQC and 5 years postgraduate experience. Since joining the AWQC, he has been involved in water treatment related research into conventional water treatment, natural organic matter, disinfection by-products, cyanobacteria and techniques involved in water quality investigation. His postgraduate experience included fading of copper algicide in reservoirs (M.App.Sc) and a copper speciation study using electroanalytical techniques (Ph.D). He has authored or co-authored over 60 technical papers.
David Cook
Research Scientist
Bachelor of Applied Science Deakin University, Graduate Diploma in Education, Deakin University.
David joined SA Water in 1997 and has gained experience in the following water treatment and disinfection areas:
Effect of water quality and water treatment chemicals on the adsorption of taste, odours and algal toxins (microcystins and saxitoxins) onto PAC; Natural organic matter (NOM) removal using alum and MIEX and its effect on chlorine decay, THM formation and bacterial regrowth potential; Coagulation and flocculation of NOM and turbidity; Chloramination decay studies in the laboratory and in distribution systems; Causes and control of nitrification in a chloraminated distribution systems
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