Françoise M. Robert

PhD, University of Minnesota

Associate Professor

Department of Microbiology
University of Hawai'i
2538 The Mall
Snyder 218
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-8014, Fax: 808-956-5339
frobert@hawaii.edu

Area of Research

Microbial Ecology; Bioremediation of Organic Pollutants and Characterization of the Microbial Populations Involved in the Process. We are studying the bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons under local conditions. Because bioremediation processes have not previously been conducted under tropical climates and in volcanic soils, scientific studies are needed to ascertain the capability of indigenous and introduced microorganisms to degrade bacteria in Hawaii soils, the diversity and characteristics of these populations, and the factors that affect the bioremediation process.

Current Project

Plant - Root Enhancement of Microbial Degradation of Organic Pollutants. The use of plant cover to prevent the airborne spread of organic pollutants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated compounds, and to enhance the activity of microorganisms responsible for the degradation of these compounds is becoming increasingly popular. However, the impact of plant root exudates, sloughed off cells, and dead roots on the efficacy of the microorganisms to degrade environmental organic pollutants to non-noxious products such as water, carbon dioxide, and inorganic nutrients is poorly understood. Also, most of the studies on this field have been done in temperate climates and there is a paucity of data regarding the use of typical plants in the bioremediation of pollutant-degrading microorganisms to establish the basis for more efficient bioremediation processes in the Pacific Islands. Changes in microbial populations are monitored by a combination of conventional and molecular techniques.

Representative Publications

  • Sun, W.H., J. Lo, F.M. Robert, C. Ray, and C.S. Tang. 2004. Phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in tropical coastal soils: I. Selection of promising woody plants. Environmental Science & Pollution Research 11 (4): 260-266.
  • Jones, R.K., W.H. Sun, C.S. Tang, and F.M. Robert. 2004. Phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons in tropical coastal soils: II. Microbial response to plant roots and contaminant. ESPR-Environmental Science & Pollution Research 11(5): 340-346.
  • Tang, C.S., W.H. Sun, T. Toma, F.M. Robert, and R.K. Jones. 2004. Evaluation of the Agriculture-Based Phytoremediation in Pacific Island Ecosystems Using Trisector-Planters. International Journal of Phytoremediation 6(1): 17-33.
  • Tang, C.S., W.H. Sun, M. Toma, R.K. Jones, and F.M. Robert. 2003. Rhizosphere-assisted remediation of a deep-seated petroleum hydrocarbon contaminant. Abstracts of the 103rd General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, May 18-22, Washington, D.C., American Society for Microbiology, p. 489.
  • Tang, C. S. and F. M. Robert. 2002. Agriculture-based bioremediation of contaminated soils in Pacific Island Ecosystems; Greenhouse and Laboratory Studies. Final Report to CH2M Hill, Portland, OR.
  • Harada, R., A.I. El-Kadi, and F. M. Robert. June 2001. Decontamination of the former Grayline baseyard. Phase I Project Completion Report, Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI.
  • Jones, R.K., W.H. Sun, C.S. Tang, and F. M. Robert. 2001. Influence of tropical plant rhizospheres on populations of hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms. Abstracts of the 101th National Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, May 20-24, Orlando, FL, p. 652, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC.
  • Sun, W.H., J. Lo, R.K. Jones, F. M. Robert, and C.S. Tang. 2000. Evaluation of coastal trees for the phytoremediation of petroleum contaminated soils in Hawaii. Proceedings of SoilRem 2000 (International Conference of Soil Remediation), October 15-19, Hangzhou, China.
  • El-Kadi, A.I. and F. M. Robert. 1998. A field-scale model for aerobic residual hydrocarbon biodegradation in unconfined aquifers under tidal conditions. Presented at the meeting of the American Geophysical Union, San Francisco, December 6-10.
  • Robert F. M., S. Thomas, G. Garrison, and A. El-Kadi. 1998. Evaluation of diesel fuel bioremediation in a tidally influenced aquifer. Abstracts of the 98th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, May 17-21, Atlanta, GA, p. 456, American Society for Microbiology, Washington, DC.

This research was funded by grants from USGS, HIDOT, & DOD via CH2M Hill

Courses Taught:

  • MICR 130 - General Microbiology
  • MICR 140 - Microbiology Lab
  • MICR 485 - Microbes & Their Environment
  • MICR 485L/WI - Microbes & Their Environment Lab
  • MICR 680 - Advances in Microbial Ecology

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