John M. Regan

 

 

 

 

 

Research

Teaching

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Research Interests 

Biological processes with an emphasis on nutrient removal, regrowth in drinking water distribution systems, fermentative biological hydrogen production, microbial fuel cells, methanogenic systems, and molecular microbial ecology.

Research Facilities

The research projects described above are primarily conducted in the Kappe Environmental Engineering Laboratories located in the Sackett Building.  Connect to this site to take a virtual/internet tour of the labs, find out about available facilities and instruments, and learn more about the graduate students working in the labs and the various research projects conducted here.

 

 

 

Publications

 

 

Leiva, E.D., C.D.P Rámila, I.T. Vargas, C.R. Escauriaza, C.A. Bonilla, J.M. Regan, G.E. Pizarro, P.A. Pasten (2013).  Natural Attenuation Process via Microbial Oxidation of Arsenic in a High Andean Watershed.  Accepted by Science of the Total Environmental.

 

Vargas, I.T., I.U. Albert, J.M. Regan (2013).  Physical Distribution of Bacterial Communities on Volumetric and Planar Anodes in Single-Chamber Air-Cathode Microbial Fuel Cells.  Biotechnology and Bioengineering, DOI: 10.1002/bit.24949.

 

Jeon, B.-H., J.-A. Choi, H.-C. Kim, J.-H. Hwang, R.A.I. Abou-Shanab, B.A. Dempsey, J.M. Regan, and R.J. Kim (2013).  Ultrasonic Disintegration of Microalgal Biomass and Consequent Improvement of Bioaccessibility/Bioavailability in Microbial Fermentation.  Biotechnology for Biofuels, 6(37).

 

Yan, H., and J.M. Regan (2013).  Enhanced Nitrogen Removal in Single-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cells with Increased Gas Diffusion Areas.  Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 110(3):785-91.

 

Ren, L., J. Tokash, J.M. Regan, and B.E. Logan (2012).  Current Generation in Microbial Electrolysis Cells with Addition of Amorphous Ferric Hydroxide, Tween 80, or DNA. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 37:16943-16950.

 

Yates, M.D., P.D. Kiely, D.F. Call, H. Rismani-Yadzi, K. Bibby, J. Peccia, J.M. Regan, and B.E. Logan (2012).  Convergent Development of Anodic Bacterial Communities in Microbial Fuel Cells.  The International Society for Microbial Ecology Journal, 6(11):2002-2013.

 

Yan, H., T. Saito, and J.M. Regan (2012). Nitrogen Removal in a Single-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell with Nitrifying Biofilm Enriched at the Air Cathode.  Water Research, 46: 2215-2224.

 

Tang, H., Y.-C. Chen, J.M. Regan, and Y. Xie (2012). Disinfection By-Product Formation Potentials in Wastewater Effluents and Their Reductions in a Wastewater Treatment Plant.  J. of Environmental Monitoring, 14(6), 1515-1522.

 

Jung, S., M.M. Mench, J.M. Regan (2011). Impedance Characteristics and Polarization Behavior of A Microbial Fuel Cell in Response to Short-Term Changes in Medium pH. Environmental Science and Technology, 45 (20): 9069–9074.

 

Steinberg, L.M., J.M. Regan (2011). Response of lab-scale methanogenic reactors inoculated from different sources to organic loading rate shocks.  Bioresource Technology, 102(19): 8790-8798.

 

Kiely, P.D., J.M. Regan, B.E. Logan (2011). The electric picnic: Synergistic requirements for exoelectrogenic microbial communities.  Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 22:378–385.

 

Ren, Z., H. Yan, W. Wang, M.M. Mench, J.M. Regan (2011). Characterization of Microbial Fuel Cells at Microbially and Electrochemically Meaningful Timescales, Environmental Science & Technology, 45(6): 2435–2441.

Jung, S., J.M. Regan (2011). Influence of External Resistance on Electrogenesis, Methanogenesis, and Anode Prokaryotic Communities in Microbial Fuel Cells.  Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 77(2):564-571.

 

Huang, L., J.M. Regan, J. Chen (2011).  Electron Transfer Mechanisms, New Applications, and Performance of Biocathode Microbial Fuel Cells. Bioresource Technology, 102(1):316-323.

 

Tang, H.L., J.M. Regan, S.E. Clark, Y.F. Xie (2011). Prediction of clean-bed head loss in crumb rubber filters.  Journal of Environmental Engineering, 137(1), 55-62.

 

Ren, Z., R.P. Ramasamy, S. Red Cloud-Owen, H. Yan, M.M. Mench, J.M. Regan (2011).  Time-course correlation of biofilm properties and electrochemical performance in single-chamber microbial fuel cells.  Bioresource Technology, http://www.sciencedirect.com/scidirimg/clear.gif102(1):416-421.

 

Kiely; P., G. Rader; J.M Regan; B.E Logan (2011). Long-term cathode performance and the microbial communities that develop in microbial fuel cells fed different fermentation endproducts.  Bioresource Technology, 102(1):361-366.

 

Kiely, P.D., R. Cusick, D.F. Call, P.A. Selembo, J.M. Regan, and B.E. Logan (2011).  Anode microbial communities produced by changing from microbial fuel cell to microbial electrolysis cell operation using two different wastewaters.  Bioresource Technology, 102(1):388-394.

 

Kiely, P.D., D.F. Call, M.D. Yates, J.M. Regan, B.E. Logan (2010). Anodic biofilms in microbial fuel cells harbor low numbers of higher-power producing bacteria than abundant genera. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 88(1):371–380.

 

Xing, D., S. Cheng, B.E. Logan, and J.M. Regan (2010). Isolation of the exoelectrogenic denitrifying bacterium Comamonas denitrificans based on dilution-to-extinction of the microbial community.  Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 85(5):1575-1587.

 

Oh, S.E., Y. Zuo, H. Zhang, M.J. Guiltinan, B.E. Logan, and J.M. Regan (2009). Hydrogen production by Clostridium acetobutylicum ATCC 824 and megaplasmid-deficient mutant M5 evaluated using a large headspace volume technique.  International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 34: 9347-9353.

 

Xing, D., S. Cheng, J.M. Regan, and B.E. Logan (2009). Change in Microbial Communities in Acetate- and Glucose-Fed Microbial Fuel Cells in the Presence of Light.  Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 25(1):105-111.

 

Steinberg, L.M. and J.M. Regan (2009).  mcrA-Targeted Real-Time Quantitative PCR Method to Examine Methanogen Communities.  Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 75(13):4435-4442.

 

Rezaei, F, D. Xing, R. Wagner, J.M Regan, T.L. Richard, and B.E. Logan (2009). Simultaneous Cellulose Degradation and Electricity Production by Enterobacter cloacae in an MFC.  Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 75(11):3673-3678.

 

Wagner, R.C., J.M. Regan, S.-E. Oh, Y. Zuo, and B.E. Logan.  (2008). Hydrogen and Methane Production from Swine Wastewater Using Microbial Electrolysis Cells.  Water Research, 43:1480-1488.    

 

Steinberg, L.M. and J.M. Regan (2008). Phylogenetic Comparison of the Methanogenic Communities from an Acidic Oligotrophic Fen and an Anaerobic Digester Treating Municipal Wastewater Sludge. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 74(21):6663-6671.

 

Ren, Z., L.M. Steinberg, and J.M. Regan (2008). Electricity Production and Microbial Biofilm Characterization in Cellulose-Fed Microbial Fuel Cells. Water Science and Technology, 58(3): 617-622.

 

Zuo, Y., D. Xing, J.M. Regan, and B.E. Logan. (2008). An Exoelectrogenic Bacterium Ochrobactrum anthropi YZ-1 Isolated Using a U-tube Microbial Fuel Cell. Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 74(10): 3130-3137.

 

Xing, D., Y. Zuo, S. Cheng, J.M. Regan, and B.E. Logan. (2008) Electricity Generation by Rhodopseudomonas palustris DX-1. Environmental Science and Technology, 42(11): 4146-4151.

 

Ramasamy, R.P., Z. Ren, M.M. Mench, and J.M. Regan. (2008) Impact of Initial Biofilm Growth on the Anode Impedance of Microbial Fuel Cells. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 101(1):101-108.

 

Kim, J.R., Y. Zuo, J.M. Regan, and B.E. Logan. (2008) Analysis of Ammonia Loss Mechanisms in Microbial Fuel Cells Treating Animal Wastewater. Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 99(5) 1120-1127.

 

Jung, S., and J.M. Regan (2007). Comparison of Anode Bacterial Communities and Performance in Microbial Fuel Cells with Different Electron Donors.  Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 77(2):393-402.

 

Ren, Z., T.E. Ward, and J.M. Regan (2007). Electricity Production from Cellulose in a Microbial Fuel Cell Using a Defined Binary Culture.  Environmental Science & Technology, 41(13):4781-4786.

 

Ren, Z., T.E. Ward, B.E. Logan, and J.M. Regan (2007). Characterization of the Cellulolytic and Hydrogen-Producing Activities of Six Mesophilic Clostridium Species. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 103(6): 2258-2266.

 

Kim, J.R., S.H. Jung, J.M. Regan, B.E. Logan (2007).  Electricity Generation and Microbial Community Analysis of Ethanol Powered Microbial Fuel Cells. Bioresource Technology, 98(13):2568-2577.

 

Logan, B.E., J.M. Regan (2006).  Electricity-Producing Bacterial Communities in Microbial Fuel Cells.  Trends in Microbiology, 14(12): 512-518.

 

Logan, B.E., J.M. Regan (2006).  FEATURE ARTICLE:  Microbial Fuel Cells - Challenges and Applications.  Environmental Science and Technology, 40(17): 5172-5180.

 

Min, B., J.-R. Kim, S.-E. Oh, J.M. Regan, B.E. Logan (2005).  Electricity Generation from Swine Wastewater Using Microbial Fuel Cells. Water Research, 39(20): 4961-4968.

 

Zhang H., B.E. Logan, J.M. Regan, L.A. Achenbach, and M.A. Bruns (2005).  Molecular Assessment of Inoculated and Indigenous Bacteria in Biofilms from a Pilot-Scale Perchlorate-Reducing Bioreactor.  Microbial Ecology, 49(3):388-398.

 

Noguera D.R., G.E. Pizarro, and J.M. Regan (2004).  Modeling Biofilms.    pp. 222-249.  In Microbial Biofilms, M. Ghannoum and G. O'Toole (Eds).  ASM Press, Washington, D.C.

 

Regan J.M., G.W.  Harrington, H. Baribeau, R. De Leon, and D.R. Noguera (2003).  Diversity of Nitrifying Bacteria in Full-Scale Chloraminated Distribution Systems.  Water Research, 37(1): 197-205.

 

Regan J.M., P.S. Oldenburg, H.-D. Park, G.W. Harrington, and D.R. Noguera (2003).  Simultaneous Determination of Bacterial Viability and Identity in Biofilms using Ethidium Monoazide and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization.  Water Science and Technology, 47(5) 123-128.

 

Oldenburg, P.S., J.M. Regan, G.W. Harrington, and D.R. Noguera (2002).  Kinetics of Nitrosomonas europaea Inactivation by Chloramine.  J. American Water Works Association, 94(10): 100-110.

 

Regan J.M., G.W. Harrington, and D.R. Noguera (2002).  Ammonia- and Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria Communities in a Pilot-Scale Chloraminated Drinking Water Distribution System.  Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 68(1) 73-81.

 

Park H.-D., J.M. Regan, and D.R. Noguera (2002).  Molecular Analysis of Nitrifying Bacterial Populations in Aerated-Anoxic Processes.  Water Science and Technology, 46(1-2) 273-280.

 

Clapp, L., J.M. Regan, F. Ali, J. Newman, J. Park and D. Noguera (1999).  Activity, Structure, and Stratification of Membrane-attached Methanotrophic Biofilms Cometabolically Degrading Trichloroethylene. Water Science and Technology, 39(7) 153-162.

 

Teske A., E. Alm, J.M. Regan, S. Toze, B.E. Rittmann, and D.A. Stahl (1994).  Evolutionary Relationships Among Ammonia and Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria. Journal of Bacteriology, 176(21),6623-6630.

 

Rittmann, B.E., J.M. Regan, and D.A. Stahl (1994).  Nitrification as a Source of Soluble Organic Substrate in Biological Treatment. Water Science and Technology, 30(6), 1-8.

 

Conference Presentations

Regan, J.M., Z. Ren, H. Yan, S. Jung, R. Ramasami, M.M. Mench (2010).  Prospects for Engineering BES Biofilm Ecology and Performance.  North American Bioelectric Systems Meeting, October 12, Amherst, MA. (Keynote Speaker)

 

Regan, J.M. (2010).  MFC Operational Effects on Anode Biofilm Microbial Ecology and Electrochemical Performance.  BIT’s 3rd Annual World Congress of Industrial Biotechnology, July 26, Dalian, China. (Keynote Speaker)

 

Yan, H., J.M. Regan (2010).  Nitrogen Removal in Microbial Fuel Cells with Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria Enriched at the Air Cathode. Pennsylvania Water Environment Federation PennTech, June 14, University Park, PA.

 

Regan, J.M., Z. Ren, W. Carpenter, R.P. Ramasamy, M.M. Mench (2009). External Resistance Effects on Anode Biofilm Architecture and Performance. 2nd Microbial Fuel Cell Conference, June 10-12, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea. (Invited Speaker)

 

Regan, J.M. (2008). Bioenergy from Wastes Using Microbial Fuel Cells: Ecology of Anode Biofilms. The 4th International Symposium of Environmental Biotechnology, August 13-14, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan. (Invited speaker)

 

Regan, J.M. (2008). Community Interactions with Complex Electron Donors. The Microbial Fuel Cells First International Symposium, May 27-29, University Park, PA.

 

Ramasamy, R., S. Red Cloud-Owen, Z. Ren, M. Mench, J.M. Regan (2008). Effect of Biofilm Properties on the Electrochemical Performacne of Microbial Fuel Cells. The Microbial Fuel Cells First International Symposium, May 27-29, University Park, PA.

 

Xing, D., Y. Zuo, S. Cheng, J.M. Regan, B.E. Logan (2008). High Power Generation by a Photosynthetic Bacterium in single Chamber Air-Cathode MFCs. The Microbial Fuel Cells First International Symposium, May 27-29, University Park, PA.

 

Zuo, Y., D. Xing, J.M. Regan, B.E. Logan (2008). An Exoelectrogenic Bacterium Ochrobactrum anthropi YZ-1 Isolated Using a U-Tube Microbial Fuel Cell. The Microbial Fuel Cells First International Symposium, May 27-29, University Park, PA.

 

Ramasamy, R., S. Red Cloud-Owen, Z. Ren, M. Mench, J.M. Regan (2008). Effect of Biofilm Properties on the Electrochemical Performacne of Microbial Fuel Cells. 213th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society, May 18-23, Phoenix, AZ.

 

Ren Z., and J.M. Regan (2008). Electricity Production and Microbial Biofilm Characterization in Cellulose-Fed Microbial Fuel Cells.  International Water Association Biofilm Conference, January 10-14, Singapore.

 

Ren Z. and J.M. Regan (2007). Cellulose-Derived Electricity Production in Microbial Fuel Cells by a Defined Binary Culture and a Natural Inoculum.  Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibit and Conference. October 15-17.  San Diego, CA.

 

Park H., M.G. Gehring, and J.M. Regan (2007). Quantification and Characterization of Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria in Intermittent Cycle Extended Aeration Systems.  Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibit and Conference. October 15-17.  San Diego, CA.

 

Logan B.E., and J.M. Regan (2007).  New Methods for Energy Production Using Electrogenic or Electrohydrogenic Reactors for Electricity or Hydrogen Generation. International Water Association Anaerobic Digestion Congress, September 23-27, Brisbane, Australia.

 

Ramasamy, R., Z. Ren, M.M. Mench, and J.M. Regan (2007). Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Studies on Microbial Fuel Cells.  American Chemical Society Meeting, August 21-22, Boston, MA.

Jung, S. and J.M. Regan (2007). Reproducibility of Microbial Fuel Cell Performance and Anode Bacterial Community. Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Conference, July 28-August 1, Blacksburg, VA.

 

Ren, Z. and J.M. Regan (2007). Electricity Production from Cellulose in Microbial Fuel Cells. Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Conference, July 28-August 1, Blacksburg, VA.

 

Steinberg, L.M. and J.M. Regan (2007). Performance of Anaerobic Digesters with Different Inocula Under Shock Loading Conditions. Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors Conference, July 28-August 1, Blacksburg, VA.

 

Ren, Z. and J.M. Regan (2007). Direct Cellulose-Derived Electricity Production in Microbial Fuel Cells. Pennsylvania Water Environment Federation PennTech, June 3, University Park, PA.

Steinberg, L.M. and J.M. Regan (2007).  Improving Anaerobic Digester Stability with the Use of an Environmentally-Derived Inoculum. 10th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, April 14, University Park, PA.

Logan, B.E. and J.M. Regan (2007). Hydrogen and Electricity Production Using Microbial Fuel Cell-Based Technologies. National Hydrogen Association Annual Hydrogen Conference, March 19-22, 2007, San Antonio, TX.

 

Tang, H.L., J.M. Regan, and Y.F. Xie (2007).  DBP Precursors Removal by Membrane Bioreactors.  PSU College of Engineering Research Symposium, February 7-8, University Park, PA.

 

Steinberg, L.M. and J.M. Regan (2006).  Quantification of Methanogen Groups in an Anaerobic Digester.  Pennsylvania Water Environment Federation PennTech, July 17, University Park, PA.

 

Steinberg, L.M. and J.M. Regan (2006).  Molecular Characterization of the Methanogenic Communities in an Acidic Peat Bog and an Anaerobic Digester.  9th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, March 18, University Park, PA.

 

Bachmann, M., L. Kump, and J.M. Regan (2006).  Gene Expression as a Proxy for Subsurface Microbial Respiration Rates: Denitrification and the nirS Gene.  9th Annual Environmental Chemistry Student Symposium, March 17, University Park, PA.

 

Logan B.E., S.-E. Oh, H. Zhang, W. Park, I.S. Kim, and J.M. Regan (2005).  Increased Biohydrogen Production Using a Megaplasmid-Deficient Clostridium Strain and Fermentation Techniques.  National Hydrogen Association Annual Hydrogen Conference, March 30, Washington D.C.

 

Regan J.M., A.-Y.Cho, S. Kim, and C.D. Smith (2004).  Monitoring Nitrification in Chloraminated Systems Using Molecular Strategies.  American Water Works Association Water Quality Technology Conference, November 15, San Antonio, TX.

 

Regan J.M., A.-Y.Cho, S. Kim, and C.D. Smith (2004).  Nitrification in Chloraminated Systems:  Enumerating Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacteria Using Molecular Strategies.  MN Section American Water Works Association Annual Meeting, October 7, Owatonna, MN.

 

Regan J.M., S.-E. Oh, and B.E. Logan (2004).  Biological Hydrogen Production from Livestock Wastewaters.  American Chemical Society Conference, August 23-26, Philadelphia, PA.

 

Xu J., P. Schrader, B.E. Logan, M.J. Guiltinan, and J.M. Regan (2003).  Genetic Engineering of Clostridium acetobutylicum for Enhanced Hydrogen Production.  Society for Industrial Microbiology Conference, August 10-14, Minneapolis, MN.

 

Regan J.M., P.S. Oldenburg, H.-D. Park, G.W. Harrington, and D.R. Noguera (2002).  Simultaneous Determination of Bacterial Viability and Identity in Biofilms using Ethidium Monoazide and Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization.  International Specialised Conference on Biofilm Monitoring, March 17-20, Porto, Portugal.

 

Regan J.M., G. W. Harrington, and D.R. Noguera (2001).  Diversity of Ammonia- and Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacteria in Chloraminated Distribution Systems.  American Water Works Association Water Quality Technology Conference.  November 14, Nashville, TN.

 

Regan J.M., G.W. Harrington, and D.R. Noguera (2001).  Characterization of Nitrifying Populations in Chloraminated Drinking Water Distribution Systems by TRFLP Analysis.  221st American Chemical Society National Meeting, Molecular Biology Tools in Environmental Engineering Symposium, April 2, San Diego, CA.

 

Noguera D.R., C.-H. Hung, and J.M. Regan (2000).  Separation of Polyphosphate-accumulating Bacteria from Activated Sludge Samples Using Density Gradient Centrifugation and Flow Cytometry. Water Environment Federation Technical Exhibition and Conference, October 14-18, Anaheim, CA.

 

Hung C.-H., J.M. Regan, and D.R. Noguera (1999).  Separation of Polyphosphate-Accumulating Bacteria from an Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removing System Based on Cell Density Differences.  Midwest Molecular Microbial Ecology Meeting, August 1-3, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

 

Regan J.M., K.J. Quinn, K.E. Bandt, and M.J. Leibrock (1995).  Using a Groundwater Flow Model to Evaluate and Enhance Operation of a Vapor Extraction System.  Eighteenth International Madison Waste Conference, September 20, Madison, WI.