Water Quality Biotechnology Program

Mau-Yi Wu                              wumi@email.uc.edu

A fourth year Ph.D. student, Mau-Yi Wu earned his bachelor degree in Agriculture at the National Taiwan University, Taiwan in 1998 and his M S. at the Graduate Institute of Agricultural Chemistry, Soils & Plant Nutrition Division, National Taiwan University , Taiwan in 2000.

Mau-Yi has a strong background in soil science, especially in soil quality assessment and soil taxonomy. His graduate thesis work examined the influence of application of hog manure compost on soil quality and heavy metal uptake by crops. After completing his master degree, Mau-Yi served the compulsory military service in the army for two years. Then, he became a full time teaching assistant in the Department of Chemistry at National Taiwan University for one year. He taught General Chemistry Lab and Organic Chemistry Lab and earned students’ respect for his teaching passion.

Mau-Yi's strong interest in solving environmental problems led him to pursue a Ph.D. degree in environmental science. He came to University of Cincinnati , and joined Dr. Oerther’s group to learn how to use molecular methods to solve environmental problems. Currently, his research focuses on using molecular biology tools to investigate the silver resistance mechanism of microorganisms, specially focus on biofilms.

Most microorganisms are found in biofilm. Biofilms are important to environmental engineers for at least two reasons: (1) biofilms can serve as reservoirs of disease causing microorganisms that find protection from disinfectants by forming biofilms; and (2) biofilm communities can stimulate microbial induced corrosion resulting in a deterioration of surfaces. Silver ion has been used as disinfectant and coating materials for controlling the growth of the microorganisms, either in the planktonic or sessile biofilm condition. In the meanwhile, the usage of silver ion causes the problem of silver resistance causing the failure of the silver applications. In Mau-Yi’s research, he uses the biofilm annular reactor to simulate biofilm condition of drinking water distribution system. The silver ion is applied into the system. The genomic responses influenced by silver ion are measured by the molecular tools such as genomic microarray and relative quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mau-Yi will try to provide the hypothesis of the silver resistance mechanisms. This research will provide significant back ground information to solver the silver resistance problems on the prevention of biofilm formation.

After he graduates from U. C., Mau-Yi will continue his research within academia by joining the faculty of a research oriented university or research institution.

[View my CV]

Questions? Contact Daniel B. Oerther.
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Room 765 Baldwin Hall; Box 210071
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0071, USA
(513) 556-3670; (513) 556-2599 (fax)