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About Natalie M. Hull

Dr. Natalie M. Hull joined Boise State University in 2023 and is currently a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Civil Engineering.  Dr. Hull studies water microbiology at fundamental and system scales.   Her academic background is in civil engineering (University of Kentucky, University of Colorado Boulder) and environmental engineering (University of Colorado Boulder), with post-graduate professional molecular biology and microbiome research (University of Colorado Boulder).  Her fundamental scale research focuses on optimizing physical ultraviolet light treatment and cellular/enzymatic biological water treatment to combat microbial threats.  This includes developing or increasing understanding of methods to detect microorganisms or their biomolecules, determining mechanisms of disinfection or damage to viral and bacterial pathogens or their biomolecules, decreasing antimicrobial resistance, investigating metabolism of natural microbial communities participating in degrading cyanotoxins or in concrete biomineralization, and destroying toxins produced during harmful algal blooms.  Dr. Hull’s system scale research investigates links between water microbiomes and human health, and between engineering and human factors on Appalachian water systems.  Her continued research will integrate understanding of fundamental impacts of engineered treatments on water microbiology and their translation to sustainable, healthy water systems. 

Positions

2023 - Present Adjunct Assistant Professor, non-employee population, Ohio State University ‐ Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering
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2023 - Present Clinical Assistant Professor, Boise State University ‐ Department of Civil Engineering
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2018 - 2023 Assistant Professor, Ohio State University ‐ Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geodetic Engineering
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2014 - 2015 Professional Research Assistant, University of Colorado Boulder ‐ Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
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2013 - 2014 Professional Research Assistant, University of Colorado Boulder ‐ Molecular cellular and developmental biology
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2009 - 2011 Summer Senior Engineering Aide, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government
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2007 - 2008 Summer Engineering Intern, Summit Engineering
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Disciplines

Research Interests

Grants

2023 - 2024 Inactivation of biofilm-bound opportunistic pathogens in premise plumbing using UVC LEDs
Water Research Foundation
Role: Co-PI
$312,846
2022 - 2024 COVID-19 surveillance in public buildings using vacuumed dust
National Institutes of Health
Role: Co-PI
$319,332
2022 - 2024 Impacts of low UV wavelengths on cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in drinking and natural water treatment
Ohio Department of Higher Education Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative
Role: PI
$151,300
2023 - 2023 Equipment necessary to advance research on hydropowered UV LED water disinfection
FY23 SI Core Faculty Scholarly Activity Award
Role: PI
$7,250
2023 - 2023 Impacts of specific UV wavelengths on antibiotic resistant bacteria and their genes during wastewater treatment
Ohio Water Development Authority
Role: PI
$143,608
2021 - 2022 Coordination and management of statewide and campus SARS-CoV-2 wastewater monitoring
Ohio Department of Health
Role: Co-PI
$7,219,172
2021 - 2022 Cyanotoxin biodegradation: An in-plant solution to microcystins in water treatment residuals
Ohio Water Development Authority
Role: PI
$21,160
2020 - 2022 Analysis of mitigating concrete cracks with bacteria
Ohio Department of Transportation
Role: Co-PI
$221,292
2020 - 2022 Systemic interactions between individuals and drinking water quality in Appalachia
Ohio State Sustainability Institute
Role: PI
$50,000
2020 - 2021 Coronavirus Relief Fund: State of Ohio wastewater SARS-CoV-2 surveillance
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
Role: Co-PI
$1,963,823
2020 - 2020 OSU campus wastewater surveillance as a tool for rapid detection of community level of COVID-19 infection
Ohio State University
Role: Co-PI
$81,294
2019 - 2020 Impact of Filter Upset During Conventional Surface Water Treatment on UV Disinfection Efficacy
Ohio Water Resources Center
$15,384
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2021 - Present Board of Directors Member, International Ultraviolet Association
2020 - Present Associate Editor, AWWA Water Science
2020 - 2023 Task Force Chair, UVC LED Disinfection Performance Task Force, IUVA
Member, American Chemical Society (ACS)
Member, American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
Member, American Water Works Association (AWWA)
Member, Association for Environmental Engineering and Science Professors (AEESP)
Member, International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA)
Member, International Water Association (IWA)
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Honors and Awards

  • 2023. OSU College of Engineering Lumley Research Award
  • 2022. Nominated and competitively selected attendee to National Academy of Engineering US Frontiers of Engineering Symposium
  • 2022. W Prize, Technology Breakthrough Category – Honorable Mention ($200), Confluence Tech Showcase, Confluence Water Technology Innovation Cluster Ohio Valley Region
  • 2021. Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award, OSU office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry
  • 2020. W.D. Sheets mentoring excellence award, Ohio Water Environment Association Southeast Section
  • 2020. Publication Award - Winner, American Water Works Association, Small Systems Division
  • 2020. Best Paper Award - Runner Up, American Water Works Association Water Science journal, Small Systems Division
  • 2018. IUVA Americas Best Student Presentation Award, 1st place
  • 2017. IUVA World Congress Best Student Presentation Award, 2nd place
  • 2017. MIT CEE Rising Stars workshop attendee
  • 2016 - 2017. NWRI fellowship
  • 2016. IUVA World Congress Best Student Presentation Award, 2nd place
  • 2012. Beverly Sears Graduate Student Grant
  • 2011. UK Outstanding Graduate Student in Civil Engineering award
  • 2010. Raymond Fellowship
  • 2009 - 2010. Don E. Hancher / C. Michael Garver scholarship

Courses

  • Environmental Microbiology
  • Engineering Mechanics 1 (BSU ENGR 210 / ME 201)
  • Environmental Engineering Bioprocesses (OSU ENVENG 5110)
  • Bioremediation of Groundwater and Soil (OSU ENVENG 5120)
  • Fundamentals of Environmental Engineering (OSU ENVENG 3200)

Education

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2018 Ph.D. - Environmental Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder ‐ Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
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2013 M.S. - Civil Engineering (with Environmental Specialization), University of Colorado, Boulder ‐ Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering
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2010 B.S. - Civil Engineering, University of Kentucky ‐ Department of Civil Engineering
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Links

ORCID

Articles (5)

Invited Talks (5)