FACULTY
J. Scott Meschke, PhD, MS, JD
Assistant Professor, Env. and Occ. Health Sciences
Dr. Meschke is an environmental and public health microbiologist, specializing in the mobility, persistence, and detection of pathogens in the environment. His dissertation research focused on the comparative adsorption, persistence, and mobility of Norwalk virus, Poliovirus type 1, and F+RNA coliphage MS2 in soils and groundwater. Other research includes development and evaluation of detection methods for human caliciviruses; virus recovery and detection in complex food items, surface water and groundwater; disinfection of microbes with chemically generated mixed oxidants; use of coliphages as indicators of viral contamination of surface and groundwater; monitoring of wells for fecal contamination following hurricane associated floods; improved methods for genotyping of F+RNA coliphages; evaluation of setback distances for prevention of microbial contamination associated with on-site waste treatment systems; and evaluation of various cell lines for culture of Norwalk-like viruses. Dr. Meschke is a member of several national and international professional organizations, including American Society for Microbiology, International Water Association, American Water Works Association, and National Association of Lake Managers.
Contact Information
Box 3546954225 Roosevelt Way NE
Suite 100
Seattle, WA 98195
Tel: 206-221-5470
jmeschke@u.washington.edu
Research Interests
• Comparative adsorption and survival of enteric viruses in soil and groundwater
• Development of molecular methods for detection of infectious viruses
• Development of detection techniques for enteric pathogens in soil, water, and food
• Phage ecology
• Indicators of fecal contamination in soil, water, and food
• Impact of CAFOs on microbiological quality of water, soil, and vegetation
• Alternative methods of water and wastewater disinfection
• Comparative survival and transport of enteric pathogens in the environment
• Modeling of fate and transport of pathogens in the environment
• Microbial risk assessment
Education
PhD, Microbiology, University of North Carolina 2001
MS, Environmental Science, Indiana University 1996
JD, Law, University of Kansas 1993
