Dr Katherine Fish (she/her)
MSc, PhD
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Research Fellow in Water Systems Microbiology
+44 114 222 5732
Full contact details
School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering
Sir Frederick Mappin Building (Broad Lane Building)
Mappin Street
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S1 3JD
- Profile
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I am an applied environmental microbiologist with inter-disciplinary research interests regarding understanding the microbial ecology of natural and engineered environments, particularly with respect to microbial biofilms.
My PhD used the full-scale drinking water distribution system test facility at ߲ݴý to investigate the impact of hydraulic patterns on the physical and community structure of drinking water biofilms and their discolouration response.
Since then, I have worked on industry and research council funded projects, specialising in investigating the interactions between environmental microbial ecology, drinking water distribution systems and water quality.
Specifically, I am interested in understanding how microbial management approaches impact biofilms and, in turn, how biofilms respond to these practices, predominantly (but not exclusively) in aquatic systems.
My current research involves collaborative projects which incorporate (micro)biological, physical and chemical analyses to explore the influence of management approaches, such as disinfection concentration, on biofilm physical (EPS and cells) and community structure (using molecular analysis), with consideration of impacts on public health and water quality.
- Qualifications
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- PhD in Civil and Structural Engineering, December 2013. ߲ݴý. Thesis entitled .
- Masters in Biological Science, First Class (hons), 2009. Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, ߲ݴý.
- Research interests
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- Applied environmental microbiology
- Biofilm formation and mobilisation/stability
- Biofilm management
- Drinking water quality
- Microbial ecology
Current Projects
- “Managing Aquatic Biofilms via Surface Manipulation” – a collaborative project working with AkzoNobel and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (funded by the , BBSRC)
- “Biomonitoring” (with South Staffs Water)
- “Disinfection and discolouration” (with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water)
Associated Research
- Publications
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Journal articles
- . Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology.
- . Journal of Environmental Engineering and Science.
- . Plos Water, 1(8).
- . Frontiers in Microbiology, 12.
- . Water Research, 198.
- . npj Biofilms and Microbiomes, 6.
- . Journal of Hazardous Materials, 388.
- . Water, 12(4).
- . PLOS ONE, 14(12).
- . Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water, 6(1).
- . Frontiers in Microbiology.
- . Water Research, 141, 74-85.
- . Science of the Total Environment, 593-4, 571-580.
- . Water Science and Technology: Water Supply, 16(4), 942-950.
- . Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2(4), 614-630.
- . PLOS ONE, 10(2), e0115824-e0115824.
- . Water Research, 65, 134-156.
Conference proceedings papers
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- Development of assimilable organic carbon assay and field application within drinking water treatment. 1st International WDSA / CCWI 2018 Joint Conference
- The impact of chlorine concentration on the discolouration response of biofilms in drinking water distribution systems. 1st International WDSA / CCWI 2018 Joint Conference
- The structure and stability of drinking water biofilms. 14th Water Distribution Systems Analysis Conference 2012, WDSA 2012, Vol. 1 (pp 455-467)
- . The 3rd International Joint Conference on Water Distribution Systems Analysis & Computing and Control for the Water Industry (WDSA/CCWI 2024), Vol. 2 (pp 2-2)
- . Proceedings - 2nd International Join Conference on Water Distribution System Analysis (WDSA)& Computing and Control in the Water Industry (CCWI), 18 July 2022 - 22 July 2022.
- . Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology.
- Research group
- Grants
Links