Research

 

Research

The State Hygienic Laboratory conducts applied research studies to improve the health of the public in Iowa and beyond.

SHL scientists have developed or modified analytical procedures for measuring toxic compounds or pathogens in air, water, food and clinical samples. In addition, Hygienic Laboratory scientists are advancing national public health issues in such important areas as infectious disease surveillance and newborn screening. These subject matter experts advise and collaborate with researchers at the University of Iowa, private industry, and state and federal agencies, on a variety of topics including infectious diseases, food safety, bioterrorism and food defense, environmental health, and neonatal health.


Journal Articles

  • Mikulski, M, Wichman, M, Simmons D, Pham, A, Clottey, V, Fuortes, L. (2018) Toxic metals in ayurvedic preparations from a public health lead poisoning cluster investigation, International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, Advance online publication, https://doi.org/10.1080/10773525.2018.1447880.
  • Pentella MA, Currier R, Page S. (2018) Preventing History from Repeating: The Evolution of Risk Assessments Since 1918, Association of Public Health Laboratories Lab Matters. Winter 2018.
  • Carrel M, Zahrieh D, Young SG, Oleson J, Ryckman KK, Wels B, Simmons DL, Saftlas A. (2017) High prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in both rural and urban Iowa newborns: Spatial patterns and area-level covariates. PLoS ONE, 12(5), e0177930. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177930
  • Chamkasem N, Vargo J. (2017) Development and independent laboratory validation of an analytical method for the direct determination of glyphosate, glufosinate, and aminomethylphosphonic acid in honey by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, Journal of Regulatory Science, Vol 5, 2, 1-9, 2017.
  • Hubbard T. (2017) “Aquatic Coleoptera (Dryopidae, Dytiscidae, Elmidae, Gyrinidae, Haliplidae, Helophoridae, Hydrochidae, Hydrophilidae, Noteridae, Psephenidae) of Iowa: Distributional Records and Notes.” The Coleopterists Bulletin, the Journal of The Coleopterists Society.
  • Kurimski L, Speaker P, Bassler J. (2017) Project FORESIGHT and Return on Investment: Forensic Science Laboratories and Public Health Laboratories. Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal, March 2017.
  • May D, (2017) Polonium-210 accumulates in a lake receiving coal mine discharges-anthropogenic or natural? Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 167, 211-221.
  • May D, Nelson, AN, Schultz, M.K. (2017) Quantitation of lead-210 (210Pb) using lead-203 (203Pb) as a “Massless” yield tracer, Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 171, 93-98, 2017.
  • May D, (2017) Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory Tackles Radioanalytical Challenges for Lead-210, Association of Public Health Laboratories Lab Matters, Summer 2017.
  • Rudrik J, Soehnlen M, Perry M, Sullivan M, Reiter-Kintz W, Lee P, Pettit D, Tran A, Swaney E. (2017) Safety and Accuracy of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization - Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry to Identify Highly Pathogenic Organisms. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Volume 55, Issue 12, December 2017.

  • DesJardin L, Reeb V, Costello A, Jepson R. (2018) Mycobacterium tuberculosis Next Generation Sequencing: Hitting the easy button. Lab Matters, Association of Public Health Laboratories. Spring 2018, Issue 2.
  • Mikulski M, Wichman M, Simmons D, Pham A, Clottey V, Fuortes L. (2018) Toxic metals in ayurvedic preparations from a public health lead poisoning cluster investigation, International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health, Advance online publication
  • Pentella MA. (2018) The Canary in the Coal Mine: Clinical and Public Health Laboratories Respond to Biosafety Risks, Clinical Microbiology Newsletter, Vol. 40, No. 9, May 1, 2018.

  • Carrel, M., Zahrieh, D., Young, S. G., Oleson, J., Ryckman, K. K., Wels, B., Simmons, D.L., Saftlas, A. (2017). High prevalence of elevated blood lead levels in both rural and urban Iowa newborns: Spatial patterns and area-level covariates. PLoS ONE, 12(5), e0177930. http://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0177930
  • Chamkasem, N., Vargo, J. (2017) Development and independent laboratory validation of an analytical method for the direct determination of glyphosate, glufosinate, and aminomethylphosphonic acid in honey by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, Journal of Regulatory Science, Vol 5, 2, 1-9, 2017.
  • Hubbard, T. (2017) “Aquatic Coleoptera (Dryopidae, Dytiscidae, Elmidae, Gyrinidae, Haliplidae, Helophoridae, Hydrochidae, Hydrophilidae, Noteridae, Psephenidae) of Iowa: Distributional Records and Notes.” The Coleopterists Bulletin, the Journal of The Coleopterists Society.
  • Kurimski, L., Speaker, P., Bassler, J. (2017) Project FORESIGHT and Return on Investment: Forensic Science Laboratories and Public Health Laboratories. Forensic Science Policy & Management: An International Journal, March 2017.
  • May, D., (2017) Polonium-210 accumulates in a lake receiving coal mine discharges-anthropogenic or natural? Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 167, 211-221.
  • May, D., Nelson, AN, Schultz, M.K. (2017) Quantitation of lead-210 (210Pb) using lead-203 (203Pb) as a “Massless” yield tracer, Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, Volume 171, 93-98, 2017.
  • May, D., (2017) Iowa’s State Hygienic Laboratory Tackles Radioanalytical Challenges for Lead-210, Association of Public Health Laboratories Lab Matters, Summer 2017.
  • Rudrik, J., Soehnlen, M., Perry, M., Sullivan, M., Reiter-Kintz, W, Lee, P., Pettit, D., Tran, A., Swaney, E. (2017) Safety and Accuracy of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization - Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry to Identify Highly Pathogenic Organisms. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Volume 55, Issue 12, December 2017.

Presentations

  • Aldous WK. “B. anthracis, Brucella spp, Y. pestis.” Sentinel Lab Rule Out of Potential Agents of Bioterrorism: Wet Workshop, Coralville, IA. (March 2018).
  • Aldous WK. “Burkholderia mallei and Psuedomallei.” Sentinel Lab Rule Out of Potential Agents of Bioterrorism: Wet Workshop, Coralville, IA. (March 2018).
  • Aldous WK. “F. tularensis.” Sentinel Lab Rule Out of Potential Agents of Bioterrorism: Wet Workshop, Coralville, IA. (March 2018).
  • Aldous WK. “Introduction to Foodborne Outbreaks.” UI College of Public Health Laboratory Techniques, Iowa City, IA. (March 2018).
  • Aldous WK. “Diabetes and Enterovirus, Infectious Causes of Chronic Disease Course.” UI College of Public Health Department of Epidemiology, Iowa City, IA. (February 2018).
  • Dai SY. “Analytical Chemistry in the Realm of Public and Environmental Health.” UI Department of Chemistry, Iowa City, IA. (March 2018).
  • Dai SY. Keller T. “Harmful Algal Blooms: Are the plants coming to get us, and will we make the problem worse?” Iowa Water Conference, Ames, IA. (March 2018).
  • Fait K. “The Early History of the State Hygienic Laboratory.” Centerdale Woman’s Club Monthly Meeting, West Branch, IA. (February 2018).
  • Fayram D. “Biosafety and Biosecurity in the Sentinel Laboratory.” Sentinel Lab Rule Out of Potential Agents of Bioterrorism: Wet Workshop, Coralville, IA. (March 2018).
  • Hochstedler B. “An Overview of the Virtual Knowledge Exercise and Biosecurity for Clinical Laboratories.” APHL Training Partners National Conference Call. (March 2018).
  • May D. “Cyanobacteria and Their Impact on Water Quality.” American Water Works Association, Washington, IA. (March 2018).
  • May D. “Radionuclides in Produced Wastes from Unconventional Drilling Operations: Characterization and Disposal Considerations.” Invited presentation at the Natural Resources Defense Council Workshop: TENORM issues in the oil and gas industry, Washington DC. (March 2018).
  • May D. “Radiochemistry Instrumentation and Statistics.” Invited lectures presented to CHEM:4760:0001, Radiochem: Energy, Medicine, Environment, Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. (February 2018).
  • Pentella MA, Dai SW, DesJardin L, Aldous WK. “Key Services of the State Hygienic Laboratory to Aid the Epidemiologist.” Department of Epidemiology Seminar, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. (February 2018).
  • Vargo JD, Emekwo UE, Nnanna AG, Baumhover N., Okorie M. “Rapid Preparation of BiOClx/BiOI (x-1) for Degradation of Tartrazine and Pharmaceuticals Under Simulated Solar and Visible LED Light Irradiation,” 2018 AEESP (Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors) Research and Education Conference, Purdue University, (February 2018).
  • Vargo JD, Emekwo UE, Nnanna AG, Baumhover N. “Solar-TiO2 Nanoparticles Enabled Degradation of Carbamazepine: An Energy Efficient Immobilization Technique,” 2018 AEESP (Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors) Research and Education Conference, Purdue University, (February 2018).
  • Schueller M, Hubbard T. “Iowa Waterway Monitoring, Wildlife and Ecosystems: Puzzles to be Mapped.” Iowa Water Conference, Ames, IA. (March 2018).

  • Aldous WK. “Antibiotic Apocalypse.” ASCLSCLMA, Des Moines, IA. (April 2018).
  • Aldous WK. “Multi-State Salmonella Outbreak Case Study.” ELC Annual Grantees Meeting, Atlanta, GA. (April 2018)
  • Dai SY, Salfinger Y, Groggel K, Hom S. “Edibles and Laboratory Testing: Dosing, Contaminants and Adulterants.” 122nd AFDO Annual Educational Conference, Burlington, VT. (June 2018).
  • DesJardin L. “Introduction to Newborn Screening” Field Experiences in Public Health, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. (February 2018).
  • DesJardin L. “Introduction to the Core Functions of a Public Health Laboratory.” Laboratory Techniques, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. (March 2018).
  • DesJardin L. “Newborn Screening Program” Laboratory Techniques, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. (March 2018).
  • DesJardin L. “NGS PulseNet and food testing.” Laboratory Techniques, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. (March 2018).
  • Fait K. “The History of the State Hygienic Laboratory.” English Valley History Center, North English, IA. (April 2018).
  • Fait K. “The Early History of the State Hygienic Laboratory.” April Program of the English Valley History Center, North English, IA. (April 2018).
  • Hall, N.H. “Private Well Testing,” Coldwell Banker’s Agent Seminar, Iowa City, IA (June 2018)
  • Hall, N.H. “Cryptosporidium and the Public Health Perspective,” College of Public Health Zoonotic Course, Guest Lecturer, Coralville, IA (June 2018)
  • Hall, N.H. “Coliform and Nitrate 101: Interpretation, Sampling and Troubleshooting,” IDPH New County Sanitarian Training, Ankeny, IA (May 2018)
  • Hall, N.H. “Preventing Legionella Using a Water Management Approach,” Leading AGE Iowa 2018 Spring Conference, Altoona, IA (May 2018)
  • Hall, N.H. “Coliform Bacteria, E.coli, Nitrate and Arsenic, Cedar Rapids Area Association of Realtors Meeting, Cedar Rapids, IA ( May 2018)
  • Hochstedler B. “Data without Snores: Communicating Your Data Effectively.” Preconference Workshop, Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, Pasadena, CA. (June 2018).
  • Hottel W, Reeb V, Hall N, DesJardin L. “Genomic similarity of Legionella pneumophila isolated from routine monitoring of hospital premise plumbing systems.” Great Plains Emerging Infectious Diseases Conference, Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, College of Public Health, University of Iowa. (March 2018).
  • Hubbard T. “Biological monitoring in Iowa” Environmental Science and Monitoring course. Kirkwood Community College. Cedar Rapids, IA. (March 2018).
  • Jepson RJ. “Considerations for Specimen Processing and Isolation of M. tuberculosis complex from Culture” Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: Diagnostic Principles and Procedures, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA. (April 2018)
  • Jepson RJ. “Antibiotic Resistance Mechanisms and Laboratory Detection” Iowa Infection Prevention and Control Seminar, Des Moines, IA. (May 2018)
  • May D, Dai SY, Schauer J, Griffen J, Park J. “Public Health Environmental Laboratories' Challenges and Opportunities for Water Quality.” Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, Pasadena, CA. (June 2018).
  • Pentella MA. “Biosafety Research Needs and Cost Benefit Analysis.” Biosafe 360, Conference Call. (April 2018).
  • Pentella MA. “Midwest U.S.: Home to Ticks and Their Emerging Pathogens.” CLMA Iowa Meeting, Des Moines, IA (April 2018).
  • Pentella MA. “Changing Biosafety Practices.” Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, Pasadena, CA. (June 2018).
  • Reeb V. “Application of Next Generation Sequencing in Public Health Surveillance and Outbreak Investigations”. Public Health Laboratory Techniques Class, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Coralville, IA. (May 2018).
  • Reeb V, DesJardin L. “Applications of Next Generation Sequencing in Public Health Surveillance and Outbreak Investigations.” Clinical Pathology Residents, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA. (May 2018).
  • Reiter Kintz W. “Case Studies: How a Public Health Laboratory Responds to Emerging Infectious Diseases and Credible Threat Events.” Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health, Des Moines, IA. (April 2018).
  • Reiter Kintz W. “Case Studies: How a Public Health Laboratory Responds to Emerging Infectious Diseases and Credible Threat Events.” Public Health Preparedness Summit, Atlanta, GA. (April 2018).
  • Schueller MD, Thompson D. “The New Iowa Well Survey: Emerging Issues and Private Well Drinking Water Quality”. Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health. Des Moines, IA. (April 2018).
  • Schueller MD. “The Best of Many Things Water: Surface Water, Floods, Private Wells”. Public Health Laboratory Techniques Class, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Coralville, IA. (April 2018).
  • Schueller M, Hubbard T. “Iowa Waterway Monitoring, Wildlife and Ecosystems: Puzzles to be Mapped.” Iowa Water Conference, Ames, IA. (March 2018).

Posters

  • Aldous, WK. Clinical Laboratory Tests of Public Health Significance: What is Really Necessary? Poster presented at: Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, 2018; Pasadena, CA.
  • Aldous, WK. The Changing Landscape of Sexually Transmitted Infections in Iowa and the Nation. Poster presented at: Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health, 2018; Des Moines, IA.
  • Hochstedler B, Larson E, Ostrowski J. iExplore Laboratory Science: Developing the Future Public Health Workforce. Poster presented at: Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health, 2018; Des Moines, IA.
  • Hottel W, Reeb V, Hall N, DesJardin L. Genomic similarity of Legionella pneumophila isolated from routine monitoring of hospital premise plumbing systems. Poster presented at: Iowa Informatics Symposium, University of Iowa, 2018; Iowa City, IA. . (Recipient of CHEEC poster award)
  • Hottel W, Reeb V, Hall N, DesJardin L. Genomic similarity of Legionella pneumophila isolated from routine monitoring of hospital premise plumbing systems. Poster presented at: Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, 2018; Pasadena, CA.
  • May D, Floryance L. Evaluation of Efficacy and Adaptability of Nitrate Testing Strips for Public Determination of Nitrate Concentration in Environmental Water Samples. Poster Presented: Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health, 2018; Des Moines, IA.
  • Pentella M, Mangal C., Salerno R., Marsico M. Laboratory Biosafety and Biosecurity Partners Forum, Looking into the Future. Poster presented at: Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, 2018; Pasadena, CA.
  • Twait E, Reeb V, Benfer J, DesJardin L. An Alternative to Liquid Handling Robots in Next-Generation Sequencing: Streamlined Semi-Automated DNA Library Preparation Incorporating Electronically Adjustable Tip Spacing Pipettes. Poster presented at: Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, 2018; Pasadena, CA.
  • Yacopucci M, Dai SY. Screening Methods for Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins: How Much Do you know about Your Water? Poster Presented: Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health, 2018; Des Moines, IA.

  • Atchison, C, Kurimski, L, Marshall, S. Using a Decision Matrix to Guide Decision Making and Resource Allocation. Poster presented at: Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, June 2017; Providence, RI.
  • Atchison, C, Kurimski, L, Dricken, S, Pendergast, M. Applying Business Development Tools to Public Health Laboratory Strategy. Poster presented at: APHL Annual Meeting, 2017; Providence, RI.
  • Bean, C, Kurimski, L, Lopez, D, Rej, R, Vagnon, P, Waddell, V, Breckenridge, K, Kim, D, Woldenhanna, S, Su, B, Speaker, P. Practical Applications Using the APHL Return on Investment Tool. Poster presented at: APHL Annual Meeting, 2017; Providence, RI.
  • Emekwo, U, Nnanna, AG, Vargo, J D, Baumhover, N. Immobilizing TiO2 and TiO2/AC on Polymeric Materials for Degradation of Pharmaceutical Contaminants. Poster presented at: International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE), 2017; Tampa, FL.
  • Flor, S., Marek, R., Kelly, K., Wels, B., Simmons, D., Fourtes, L., Hornbuckle, K., Ludewig, G. Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCB) and Heavy Metals Associated With Occupational and Non-Occupational Exposures Among Eastern Iowa Construction Workers. Poster presented at: The 56th Annual Meeting of the Society of Toxicology, 2017; Baltimore, MD.
  • Hottel, W., Reab, V., Hall, N., DesJardin, L., Genomic similarity of Legionella pneumophila isolated from routine monitoring of hospital premise plumbing systems. Poster presented at: Advanced Molecular Detection (AMD) Day at the CDC, September 25, 2017, Atlanta, GA.
  • Hughes, A., Fitzgerald, C., Kurimski, L., Bennett, J., Kim, D. Highlighting APHL Toolkits through the Member Resource Center. Poster presented at: APHL Annual Meeting, 2017; Providence, RI.
  • Jones, Rena R, Inoue-Choi, Maki, Stavreva, Diana A., Varticovski, Lyuba, Weyer, Peter J., Quist, Arbor J.L., Wichman, Michael, Cain, Terence, Graubard, Barry I., Beane Freeman, Laura, Hager, Gordon L., Ward, Mary H. A Novel Bioassay as a Global Indicator of Endocrine Disruption in Public Drinking Water Supplies. Poster presented at Iowa Governor’s Conference on Public Health, 2017; Des Moines, IA.
  • May, D. Radioactive Materials in Iowa Drinking Water: Risk and Regulations. Poster presented at: University of Iowa College of Public Health Research Week, April 4, 2017; Iowa City, IA.
  • May, D. Radioactive Materials in Iowa Drinking Water: Risk and Regulations. Poster presented at: Iowa Water Conference, 2017; Ames, IA.
  • Parke, B., Yacopucci, M., May, D., Scaffinger, M., Carl, A., Dai, S. Quick and Simple Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Method for Microcystins: What is in Iowa Water. Poster presented at: Iowa One Health Conference, 2017; Iowa City, IA
  • Reeb, V., Albaugh, B., Elwood, J., Boman, J., Jepson, R., Benfer, J., DesJardin, L. Comparative Mycobacterium tuberculosis Culture and DNA Isolation Methods for Next Generation Sequencing: Time, Cost, Quality of NGS Data. Poster presented at: Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, June 2017; Providence, RI.
  • Salfinger, Y., Mangione, C., Valbracht, M. APHL Quality Management Training Series. Poster presented at: Association of Public Health Laboratories Annual Meeting, 2017; Providence, RI.
  • Von Stein D, Kline GM, Trannel AM, Oni KO, Hall N, Moet G, Aldous WK, Jepson RT. Iowa’s rapid response to a Salmonella Braenderup outbreak in the age of culture-independent diagnostic testing and whole-genome sequencing. Integrated Foodborne Outbreak Response and Management Meeting (InFORM), 2017 Orange County, CA.
  • Yacopucci, M., May, D., Scaffinger, M., Carl, A., Parke, B., Jepson, R., Dai, S.Screening Methods for Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins: How Much Do You Know About Your Water? AOAC International Annual Symposium, 2017; Atlanta, GA.
  • Yacopucci, M., May, D., Scaffinger, M., Carl, A., Parke, B., Jepson, R., Dai, S.Screening Methods for Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins: How Much Do You Know About Your Water? Iowa One Health Conference, 2017; Iowa City, IA.

The State Hygienic Laboratory is part of many applied research projects. SHL develops or modifies analytical procedures for measuring toxic compounds or pathogens in air, water, food and clinical samples. It conducts environmental monitoring, infectious disease surveillance, and newborn and maternal screening.

SHL teams with the University of Iowa and other colleges and universities; private industry; state and federal agencies; and additional research partners. Topics include infectious diseases, food safety, bioterrorism and food defense, environmental health, and neonatal health, among others.

Contacts:

Michael Pentella

Director
(319) 335-4061
michael-pentella@uiowa.edu

Wade Aldous

Diagnostic and Clinical
(319) 335-4765
wade-aldous@uiowa.edu

Michael Schueller

Environmental Health
(319) 335-4389
michael-schueller@uiowa.edu

Kenneth Coursey

Newborn Screening
(319) 467-1022
kenneth-coursey@uiowa.edu


Last updated March 23, 2023