Professor Saikaly's research focuses on integrating cutting-edge -omic tools (genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic) with bioprocess engineering to optimize and create sustainable biotechnologies for wastewater reclamation and reuse that are robust, scalable, and capable of providing tailored water quality with minimization of energy, resources, and carbon footprint. He is guided by the vision that gaining a better insight of the microbial ecology of microorganisms and the variables that affect their ecophysiology will allow us to fully harness their potential in environmental biotechnology.
His specific research interests include:
Integrating membrane-based microbial electrochemical technologies for domestic wastewater treatment with resource recovery (water and energy)
Aerobic granular sludge system for industrial wastewater treatmentIntegrating anammox processes for mainstream wastewater treatment
Selected Publications
Katuri, K., Werner, C. M., Sandoval, R.J., Chen, W., Logan, B.E., Lai, Z., Amy, G. L., and Saikaly, P.E. (2014) "A novel anaerobic electrochemical membrane bioreactor (AnEMBR) with conductive hollow-fiber membrane for treatment of low-organic strength Solutions." Environmental Science and Technology, 48, 12833-12841.
Shehab, N., Amy, G., and Logan, B.E., and Saikaly, P. E. (2014). "Microbial electordeionization cell stack air-cathode for sustainable desalination." Journal of Membrane Science, 469, 364-370.
Malaeb, L., Katuri, K., Logan, B.E., Maab, H., Nunes, S., and Saikaly, P. E. (2013). "A hybrid microbial fuel cell membrane bioreactor with a conductive ultrafiltration membrane biocathode for wastewater treatment." Environmental Science and Technology, 47, 11821-11828.
Shehab, N., Li, D., Amy, G., and Logan, B.E., and Saikaly, P. E. (2013). "Characterization of bacterial and archaeal communities in air-cathode microbial fuel cells, open circuit and sealed-off reactors." Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 97: 9885-9895.
Sayess, R. R., Saikaly, P. E., El-Fadel, M., Li, D., and Semerjian, L. (2013). "Reactor performance in terms of COD and nitrogen removal and bacterial community structure of a three–stage rotating bioelectrochemical contactor." Water Research, 47: 881-894.