Division of Environmental Health and Toxicology

The main research focus of the Division of Environmental Health and Toxicology (DEHT) is to understand the effects of contaminants and environmental stressors on human health and ecosystem function. The division pursues research on a broad range of topics such as biodegradation of toxic pollutants, developing novel molecular tools for the detection of pathogenic bacteria, microbial ecology of contaminated ecosystems, geo-microbiology, soil nutrient cycling, and developing sustainable waste management and agriculture practices. Conventional microbiological tools along with most advanced molecular tools (metagenomics and metatranscriptomics) are being employed to understand the diversity, distribution, and ecophysiology of archaea in the environment and their implications for public health. The research mission and goals of DEHT possibly identify and understand the key processes that affect public health and environment, and help the government agencies to evaluate the risk assessment of pollutants. Faculty and students of DEHT seek practical solutions to complex environmental problems by interdisciplinary and integrative approaches.