AquaPhos - Pollutant removal and resource recovery to clean our ponds

The Butler Research Group is looking for undergraduate students interested in developing research skills in water quality, pollution control and bioprocesses! 
Under the PhosForUs project, this student will learn how to measure key water quality parameters, how to construct, operate and optimize a bioreactor for the treatment of polluted waters and secondary wastewater, and participate in the field deployment of a new technology! The project seeks to remove phosphorus from polluted waters and recover it as a raw resource, preventing harmful algae blooms and strengthening the circular economy model.
Reach out to lmancilio@umass.edu for more information
Name of research group, project, or lab
Butler Research Group
Why participate in this opportunity?

The project is highly interdisciplinary. The student will have the opportunity learn a variety of important lab techniques, from nutrient measurements and chromatography, to molecular biology, as well as engineering skills in reactor design, operation and troubleshooting, and broader conservation, sampling and outreach skills. 

Although the project is led by PhD Candidate Lucca Mancilio, the mentoring model adopted seeks to give undergraduates greater autonomy and freedom to make the project their own. We are not looking for help washing glassware and dishes, or doing mundane tasks, we want you to be a researcher.

The project is also designed to last another 3-4 years, and contains enough novelty to support more than one exceptional honors thesis. 

 

Representative publication or further information
Logistics Information:
Subject Category
Biology
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Ecology and Environmental Sustainability
Environmental Science
Microbiology
Natural Resources Conservation
Student ranks applicable
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Student qualifications

Most important is motivation and stoke. We want you to make this project your own, and take charge of it. Communication skills, organization and leadership are important. If this sounds intimidating, don't worry, these are also skills that we can develop together. 

Tell me what your interests are, long-term career goals, and what questions stand out most to you. We can use this to make the project more interesting to you too.

Most of what you will need to know, you will learn here. 
 

Time commitment
8-10 h/wk
11-14 h/wk
15+ h/wk
Position Types and Compensation
Research - Ind. Study Credit
Research - Volunteer
Number of openings
2
Techniques learned

Colorimetric nutrient measurements

General Water Quality Assays

Ionic Chromatography

Bioreactor design and operation

Data analysis and discussion

Microbial ecology 

Wastewater treatment processes

Project start
Fall 2024
Contact Information:
Mentor
lmancilio@umass.edu
PhD Student
Name of project director or principal investigator
Lucca Mancilio
Email address of project director or principal investigator
lmancilio@umass.edu
2 sp. | 23 appl.
Hours
8-10 h/wk (+2)
8-10 h/wk11-14 h/wk15+ h/wk
Project categories
Chemical Engineering (+6)
BiologyChemical EngineeringCivil EngineeringEcology and Environmental SustainabilityEnvironmental ScienceMicrobiologyNatural Resources Conservation