Standardized Biofilm Methods 
Research Team

Marty Hamilton

Professor Emeritus of Statistics

Marty is the Standardized Biofilm Methods Faculty Mentor and a Principal Investigator. He provides guidance in designing and analyzing the experiments required to assess the statistical characteristics (repeatability, reproducibility, ruggedness, relevance, and responsiveness) of a new biofilm method.
 

Darla Goeres

Standardized Biofilm Methods Laboratory (SBM) Coordinator/Research Engineer

Darla coordinates the SBM research team in their efforts to develop standardized methods for growing repeatable and relevant biofilms. Her favorite method to develop was based upon a laboratory hot tub model used to test the efficacy of chemical hot tub disinfectants against biofilm and suspended bacteria. In addition, she represents the CBE in the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM).

Paul Sturman

Industrial Coordinator

Paul is directing the development of a standard method for determining the efficacy of disinfectants for use in treating biofilm in dental unit water lines (DUWL). In addition, Paul is the FDA liaison for the CBE and represents the CBE in AOAC International.

Paul coordinates the CBE's Industrial Associates Program. He is responsible for organizing the biannual Technical Advisory Conference (TAC) where the latest biofilm research is showcased.
 

Kelli Buckingham-Meyer

Research Specialist

Kelli is the SBM research team’s microbiologist. She is responsible for training and mentoring undergraduate interns on a variety of projects. Kelli’s research focus has been an EPA funded project to study disaggregation and removal of biofilms from hard surfaces. In addition, she conducts short- and long-term research projects for academia and industry.
 

Diane K. Walker

Research Engineer

In addition to mentoring undergraduate interns and conducting research on sales and service projects, Diane works with other CBE members to conduct industrial and academic workshops on biofilm basics. Diane is currently working with SBM interns on a dental unit water line (DUWL) project and performing disinfectant studies using static glass and CDC biofilm growth reactors.

Lindsey Lorenz

Research Assistant

Lindsey has three years of laboratory experience including time spent working in an industrial microbiology laboratory doing biofilm-related testing work. As part of the SBM, she will conduct the laboratory experiments for biofilm testing projects.

Nic Beck

SBM Intern
Undergraduate- Chemical Engineering

Nic is working on a project funded by the Montana Board of Research and Commercialization Technology to optimize the design and repeatability of the Drip Flow Reactor (DFR). He and Jackie Whitaker have developed a standard operating procedure and performed ruggedness testing to determine which operational factors affect the growth of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm grown in the low fluid shear environment of the DFR. In spring 2006, he began optimizing the DFR for growing a Staphylococcus aureus biofilm.

Shannon Goeres

SBM Intern
Undergraduate- BioResources Engineering

Shannon is working on creating a standard method to test the efficacy of biocides against biofilm in dental unit water lines (DUWL). A laboratory reactor that incorporates actual DUWL tubing was built. She is now applying biocides to the system and measuring the kill and/or removal of biofilm that results from the treatment.

Alex Hilyard

SBM Intern
Undergraduate- Business

Alex is working on distinguishing between cell removal versus kill when calculating the log reduction associated with disinfectant efficacy evaluation. His goal is to determine the number of biofilm cells that are removed and/or killed from a surface as a result of the mechanics necessary to rinse, treat and neutralize the biofilm. For this research, he is using both Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus biofilms grown in the drip flow reactor, CDC reactor and in static conditions on an agar plate.

Jonathan Rice

SBM Intern
Undergraduate-

Lindsey Danreuther

SBM Intern
Undergraduate-

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