Departmental Affiliations
Kellogg Schwab, PhD, integrates engineering, public health, and human behavior by researching water and wastewater contaminants of public health concern.
Contact Info
Research Interests
Environmental Health Sciences; environmental microbiology; environmental engineering; microbial fate and transport; water reuse; water quality, drinking water treatment, disinfection, groundwater, wastewater, sewage, water and wastewater distribution systems, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, enteric pathogens, parasites (cryptosporidium, toxoplasma, giardia), viruses (SARS CoV-2, norovirus, hepatitis A virus, rotavirus), bacterial indicators of water quality, bacteriophage, antibiotic resistant bacteria, molecular detection of microorganisms (PCR, RT-PCR, digital droplet PCR), infectious diseases, microbial risk assessment, food borne and waterborne outbreak investigations, urban environmental pollution, PFAS; airborne microorganisms, concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO), Chesapeake Bay research,
Experiences & Accomplishments
Dr. Kellogg Schwab is the Abel Wolman Professor in Water and Public Health in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health and Director of the JHU Water Institute. The Water Institute integrates Hopkins researchers from public health, engineering, chemistry, materials science, medicine, behavior, policy, and economic disciplines to address the critical nexus of water, food, and energy. The goal of this program is to achieve sustainable, scalable solutions for domestic, agricultural, and industrial water challenges. Dr. Schwab's research laboratory focuses on environmental microbiology and engineering with an emphasis on the fate and transport of chemicals, emerging contaminants and pathogenic microorganisms in water, food, and the environment. Current research projects involve investigating innovative water reuse treatment options as well as improving environmental detection methods for noroviruses (the leading cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide). He is also working with Hopkins colleagues to integrate mobile data collection to assess family planning along with water, sanitation and hygiene around the world.
Honors & Awards
Graduate Student Travel Award, 1993 Hoechst Celanese Excellence in Graduate Research Award, 1993 American Society of Microbiology Travel Award, 1995 Division of Molecular Virology Training Award, 1997-1999 Division of Molecular Virology Award for Excellence in Postdoctoral Research, 1999 Johns Hopkins Award for Excellence in Advising, Mentoring and Teaching, 2005 Delta Omega Public Health Honor Society Alpha Chapter 2009, American Society for Microbiology Distinguished Lecturer 2012-14, Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology 2015, Abel Wolman Professorship in Water and Public Health 2017, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award 2018, Johns Hopkins Sustainability 2021 Green Blue Jay Awards - Sustaining Champion - Top Sustainability Hall of Champions Award
Select Publications
Select recent publications from five areas of research
WATER and WASTEWATER TREATMENT - Croll, HG, Adelman, MJ, Chow S, Schwab KJ, Capelle R, Oppenheimer J, Jacangelo JG. Fundamental Kinetic Constants for breakthrough of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances at varying empty bed contact times: Theoretical analysis and pilot scale demonstration. Chemical Engineering Journal. V464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.142587. 2023.**** Chow SJ, Croll HC, Ojeda N, Klamerus J, Capelle R, Oppenheimer J, Jacangelo JG, Schwab KJ (co-corresponding), Prasse C. Comparative investigation of PFAS adsorption onto activated carbon and anion exchange resins during long-term operation of a pilot treatment plant. pilot treatment plant. Water Research. V226 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2022.119198. 2022 **** Croll, HG, Chow S, Ojeda N, Schwab KJ, Prasse C, Capelle R, Klamerus J, Oppenheimer J, Jacangelo JG. Adaptation of selected models for describing competitive per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances breakthrough curves in groundwater treated by granular activated carbon. J of Haz Materials. V433. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128804. 2022. **** Powers M, Yracheta J, Harvey D, O'Leary M, Best LG, Black Bear A, MacDonald L, Susan J, Hasan K, Thomas E, Morgan C, Olmedo P, Chen R0, Rule A, Schwab KJ, Navas-Acien A, George CM. Arsenic in Groundwater in Private Wells in Rural North Dakota and South Dakota: Water Quality Assessment for an Intervention Trial. Environmental Research. V168 pp41-47. 2019. PMID: 30261340 PMCID: PMC6296218 DOI:10.1016/j.envres.2018.09.016 **** Dunkin N, Weng SC, Coulter CC, Jacangelo JG, Schwab KJ. Impacts of virus processing on human norovirus GI and GII persistence during disinfection of municipal secondary wastewater effluent. Water Research. V134 pp 1-12. 2018. **** Exum NG, Betanzo E, Schwab KJ, Chen TYJ, Guikema S, Harvey DE. Extreme precipitation, public health emergencies and safe drinking water in the United States. Current Environmental Health Reports. Vol5(2). pp305-315. 2018. DOI 10.1007/s40572-018-0200-5. ISSN 2196-5412. 2018. ****
WATER REUSE - Oppenheimer J, Schwab KJ, Jacangelo J. Assessing nutrient loading from reclaimed water irrigation utilizing the chemical marker iohexol. AWWA Water Science. DOI: 10.1002/aws2.1198. Aug 10, 2020. ****Cherchi C, Kesaano M, Badruzzaman M, Schwab KJ, Jacangelo JG. Municipal reclaimed water for multi-purpose applications in the power sector: A review. J of Environmental Management. V236 pp 561-570. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.10.102 **** Weng SC, Luo Y, Li J, Zhou B, Jacangelo JG, Schwab KJ. Assessment and Speciation of Chlorine Demand in Fresh-Cut Produce Wash Water. Food Control. V60. P543-551 2016. **** Dunkin N, Weng SC, Jacangelo JG, Schwab KJ. Inactivation of Human Norovirus Genogroups I and II and Surrogates by Free Chlorine in Postharvest Leafy Green Wash Water. Appl. Env. Microbiol. V83n22. e 01457-17. 2017. ****
NOROVIRUS RESEARCH - Schmitz B, Wang H, Schwab KJ, Jacangelo J. Selected Mechanistic Aspects of Viral Inactivation by Peracetic Acid. Environmental Science and Technology. V55 23, pp16120–16129. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.1c04302 2021. **** Overbey KN, Zachos NC, Coulter C, Jacangelo JG, Schwab KJ. Recovery of infectious human norovirus GII.4 Sydney from fomites via replication in human intestinal enteroids. Accepted for publication. Frontiers Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2021. **** Overbey KN, Zachos NC, Coulter C, Schwab KJ. Optimizing human intestinal enteroids for environmental monitoring of human norovirus. Accepted for publication. Food and Environmental Virology. 2021. **** Dunkin N, Coulter CC, Weng SC, Jacangelo JG, Schwab KJ. Effects of pH Variability on Peracetic Acid Reduction of Human Norovirus GI, GII RNA and Infectivity Plus RNA Reduction of Selected Surrogates. Food and Environmental Virology. V11 (1) pp76-89. 2019. PMID: 30430442 **** Dunkin N, Weng SC, Schwab KJ, McQuarrie J, Bell K, Jacangelo JG. Comparative Inactivation of Murine Norovirus and MS2 Bacteriophage by Peracetic Acid and Monochloramine in Municipal Secondary Wastewater Effluent. Env. Sci. and Technology. V51(5). pp.2972-2981. 2017.
INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH - Borg SA, Bukenya JN, Kibira SPS, Nakamya P, Makumbi FE, Exum NG, Schwab KJ, Hennegan J. The association between menstrual hygiene, workplace sanitation practices and self-reported urogenital symptoms in a cross-sectional survey of women working in Mukono District, Uganda. PLoS One. 18(7): e0288942. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288942. 2023.**** Hennegan J, Bukenya JN, Makumbi FE, Nakamya P, Exum NG, Schwab KJ, Kibira SPS. Menstrual health challenges in the workplace and consequences for women’s work and wellbeing: a cross-sectional survey in Mukono, Uganda. PLOS Global Public Health. July 22. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000589. 2022. **** Exum NG, Gorin EM, Sadhu G, Khanna A, Schwab KJ. Evaluating declarations of open defecation free status under the Swachh Bharat (“Clean India”) Mission: repeated cross-sectional surveys in Rajasthan, India. British Medical Journal-Global Health. V5:e002277. doi:10.1136/bmjgh-2019-002277. 2020. **** Exum NG, Kibira SPS, Ssenyonga R, Nobili J, Shannon AK, Ssempebwa JC, Tukahebwa EM, Radloff S, Schwab KJ, Makumbi FE. The prevalence of schistosomiasis in Uganda: A nationally representative population estimate to inform control programs and water and sanitation interventions. Published: August 14, 2019 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd. 0007617. PLoS NTD. 2019. **** Overbey K, Schwab KJ, Exum N. Comparison of One-Week and Two-Week Recall Periods for Caregiver-Reported Diarrheal Illness in Children Using Nationally Representative Household Surveys. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyz043. p1-12. International Journal of Epidemiology. 2019. **** Elliott M, Foster T, MacDonald MC, Schwab KJ, Hadwen WL. Addressing how multiple household water sources and uses build water security and support sustainable development. 2(6). p1-6. DOI: 10.1038/s41545-019-0031-4. Nature partner journals Clean Water. 2019.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE - Moffa MA, Rock C, Galiatsatos P, Gamage SD, Schwab KJ, Exum NG. Legionellosis on the rise: A scoping review of sporadic, community-acquired incidence in the United States. Epidemiology and Infection. ul 28;151:e133. doi: 10.1017/S0950268823001206 2023.**** Zacher T, Endres K, Richards F, Robe L, Powers M, Yracheta J, Harvey D, Best L, Red Cloud R, Black Bear A, Ristau S, Aurand D, Skinner L, Cuny C, Gross M, Thomas E, Rule A, Schwab KJ, O'Leary M, Moulton L, Navas-Acien A, George CM. Evaluation of Water Arsenic Filter Treatment in a Participatory Intervention to Reduce Arsenic Exposure in American Indian Communities: The Strong Heart Water Study. Science of the Total Environment. V 862. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160217. 2023. **** Chow SJ, Ojeda N, Jacangelo JG, Schwab KJ. Detection of ultrashort-chain and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in U.S. bottled water. Water Research. 201_117292. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2021.117292 2021. **** Harmon JB, Gray HK, Young CC, Schwab KJ. Microfluidic droplet application for bacterial surveillance in fresh-cut produce wash waters. PLoS One. 2020 Jun 9;15(6):e0233239. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0233239. eCollection 2020. PMID: 32516315. 2020.