COOPER YERBY

GEOMICROBIOLOGY

We still have only a very limited understanding of how to leverage microbial metabolism to detoxify minerals and the water supply. To research microbial metabolism and apply biological arsenic detoxification processes towards water treatment, I
designed and constructed the world’s first low current-density microbially-mediated arsenic electrocoagulation apparatus. The new water treatment system eliminated 99.6% of arsenic species from solution over a 4 hour timespan and serves as a promising system for the future of water treatment.

APPLIED COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY

In an effort to gain a better understanding of the molecular basis of water treatment, I am using molecular dynamics simulation to investigate the mechanistic underpinning of salt tolerance in plants. Through leveraging computer aided materials design and testing of functionalized carbon nanomaterial systems that mimic biological membranes, I am creating a new computational protocol to generate membrane systems with unparalleled desalination and materials separation capabilities. Because my membrane systems are comprised of readily available materials, promising designs can be manufactured and tested with industry partners.