KPHLWC
About the Kentucky Public Health Laboratories Wastewater Collaborative (KPHLWC)
The collaborative works to advance understanding of wastewater analysis supporting SARS-CoV-2 and other non-SARS-CoV-2 targets and supports fundamental and early-stage research collaborations within Kentucky.
We are inviting interested individuals from around the state to join our collaborative network to increase Kentucky's capacity to collect, analyze, and understand wastewater samples. Currently the Department for Public Health Division of Laboratory Services is in the initial stages of setting up a wastewater laboratory, academic 
researchers at the Universities of Louisville and Kentucky have ongoing wastewater based epidemiology projects, and Eurofins Genomics, LLC. in Louisville offers commercial wastewater analytical services for Kentucky corrections facilities.
The goals of this collaborative are to standardize sample collection and analytical methods, assure sample and analytical quality in the field and in the lab, create opportunities for future work and funding, and to share best 
practices and ethical considerations of public health wastewater monitoring approaches. The result of the collaborative will be localized, embedded expertise around public health wastewater monitoring across the wastewater industry, academic and research institutions, and state and local governments in Kentucky.
Fill out this short form to join the collaborative.
Members
Rochelle Holm, PhD
Associate Professor
Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville
Ted Smith, PhD
Associate Professor
Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville
Lauren Anderson, MPA
Research Manager
Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, University of Louisville
Melissa Smith, PhD
Associate Professor
Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville
Leslie Wolf, PhD
Public Health Laboratory Director
Louisville Metro-Jefferson County Department of Public Health and Wellness
Bikram Subedi, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Chemistry, Murray State University
Scott Berry, PhD
Associate Professor
Advanced Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Kentucky
Helen Janis
Division of Laboratory Services, Kentucky Department for Public Health
Beth B Johnson
Division of Laboratory Services, Kentucky Department for Public Health
Ashley Aurand-Cravens
Division of Laboratory Services, Kentucky Department for Public Health
Nathaniel Wilson
Division of Public Health Protection and Safety, Kentucky Department for Public Health
Bryn Randolph
Division of Public Health Protection and Safety, Kentucky Department for Public Health
Maggie Mahan
Rural Community Assistance Partnership, Community Action Kentucky
Meredith Meyers, PhD
Wastewater Lab Supervisor
Eurofins Genomics LLC
Beth A. McNally, PhD
Director of Laboratory Operations
Eurofins Genomics LLC
Who Should Join the Collaborative?
- Public Health Departments and Laboratories
- Commercial Laboratories and Sample Collection Servicers
- Academic Institutions and Laboratories
- Utilities and Public Works Departments
- Nonprofit and Health Advocacy Organizations
- Septic and Mobile Toilet Service Companies
Member Responsibilities:
- An initial commitment of 30-minute, virtual, bi-monthly meetings for 1-year, with members rotating meeting lead responsibilities.
- Signing a data confidentiality agreement to ensure protection of public health information.
- Field and laboratory exchange visits for early career wastewater professionals and Cross-lab validation of samples is encouraged.
Member Benefits
- Cross-laboratory validation
- Technical assistance and troubleshooting for field and laboratory activities
- Collaboration for funding applications and grant writing
- Sharing of best practices and standards for analysis and reporting
- Practical training opportunities
- Site visits among partners