Betty Olson

My interests focus on molecular biological techniques and microorganisms of public health importance and on how these organisms relate to water quality and environmental clean-up. My primary focus over the last several years has been concerned with bacteriological quality of drinking and environmental waters. Another focus of interest centers on the transformation and translocation of organic and inorganic pollutants in soil and aquatic environments. My laboratory is currently investigating molecular methods of differentiation between human and animal E. coli; the effect of recharging with waters of debilitated quality on assimilable organic carbon levels in surface waters; analysis of soil microbial community structure using classical and molecular methods.