Dr. Hyatt Green to Speak on Predicting the Next Outbreak

1/7/2021

Strathmore Speaker Series Registration

Dr. Hyatt Green, assistant professor at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, will be the speaker for the Strathmore Speaker Series Jan. 14 via Zoom.

Green's novel approach to wastewater monitoring is currently being used as an early-warning system for the next major outbreak of COVID-19 in Onondaga County.

Battling COVID-19 requires rigorous testing that needs the close coordination of microbiologists, public health officials, and operational technologists. Green's wastewater monitoring project unites these fields. Its blend of microbiology and biotech provides local governments and public health officials with a non-invasive method for detecting the prevalence of COVID-19 in the community - a method that may be able to contain the next outbreak before it spreads.

In April 2020, Green and his research team began developing a method to monitor wastewater for evidence of COVID-19. The New York State Department of Health awarded Green $500,000 in funding to pilot a statewide coronavirus transmission early warning system. They are currently monitoring wastewater systems in 11 counties across New York state, including Onondaga County.

The event will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 via Zoom. This presentation is free and open to the public. Those interested can register here. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. A brief Q&A will follow Green's presentation.

He holds a Ph.D. in microbiology from Oregon State University and has been published in numerous scientific journals, including Applied and Environmental Microbiology and Environmental Science and Technology. His research looks at molecular microbial ecology, water quality and microbial source-tracking, microbial dark matter, and eDNA and molecular ecology.