Professor Howard Fallowfield
Professor
College of Science and Engineering
Professor Fallowfield is an aquatic microbial ecologist. A graduate of Leeds University in microbiology and food science he received his PhD degree from University of Dundee, Scotland for research on the microbial ecology of Scottish lochs. Following Postdoctoral appointments at The Queen's University of Belfast he worked for 10 years as academic and specialist adviser with Scottish Agricultural Colleges, Scottish Department for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.
Since arriving in Australia in 1993, his research focus has been on the public health aspects of water quality, which has been conducted across a range of aquatic environments including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater and recreational waters. Howard has some 40 years' research experience in the UK and Australia, designing, constructing, operating and evaluating the performance of pilot plants for both drinking water and wastewater treatment.
Current projects include:
- Research leading to the adoption of high rate algal ponds (HRAPs) for the treatment of wastewater from rural communities in South Australia. Including promulgation of an HRAP Design Guideline by Local Government Association of South Australia in association with the Department of Health and Wellbeing for use in Community Wastewater Management Schemes (HRAP Design Guideline, 2020).
- Beneficial algal-bacterial biofilms for wastewater treatment (ARC Training Centre for Biofilm Research and Innovation, ARC Biofilm Centre )
- Determining the factors affecting the quality of water recovered from managed aquifer recharge schemes,e.g. inorganic nitrogen, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, bacteria and viruses, (One Basin CRC, One Basin CRC)
- Assessment of risk associated with irrigating plants for human consumption with wastewater contaminated with cyanobacterial toxins (SA Water, Water Research Australia, Water Research Australia).
Howard continues to seek collaboration with industry and government organisations to address their research and development needs.
PhD in freshwater microbial ecology.University of Dundee, Scotland.
2020 Stormwater South Australia Excellence in Research & Innovation awarded for Joint Research Between Flinders University and City of Marion, Local Governement Association and the Managed Aquifer Recharge Users Group recognising the Oaklands Parks Wetlands Education Centre contribution to STEM education and outreach. Oaklands Park Wetlands and Education Centre video
2020, Australian Awards for University Teaching Citation for Outstanding Contribution to Student Learning (2020) with Dr Kirstin Ross and Dr Harriet Whiley.
2019 joint winner of the Australian Water Association (SA Branch) Infrastructure Innovation Project Award with Peterborough District Council and the SA Local Government Association for Peterborough Community Wastewater Managment Scheme; incorporating two 5000m2 high rate algal ponds.
2017 I was a member of the Environmental Health Team, with Dr Kirstin Ross and Dr Harriet Whiley, presented with the Vice Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching
Prof. Fallowfield, within the College of Science and Engineering, is coordinator of Research Higher Degrees associated with earth and environmental sciences and environmental health. Howard also is chairperson of the Oaklands Wetlands Governance Committee and a member of the Professional Advisory Committee of the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Health Practice.
My contribution to teaching reflects my expertise and interest in microbial ecology, particularly of aquatic environments, which have the potential to influence human health. Water quality and the treatment of wastewater, drinking water and stormwater is a specific focus together with the eutrophication of freshwater and the impact and management of cyanobacterial blooms.
Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence - MAY 2021
Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Doctoral Thesis Excellence - MAY 2021
HDR Student Research Impact Prize - MAY 2021
I am a member of the International Water Association and its Specialist Group on Wastewater Pond Technologies; Water Research Australia, the Australian Water Association and the SA Managed Aquifer Recharge Users Group.
I am a reviewer for several international journals including Water Research, Journal of Applied Microbiology, Journal of Applied Phycology, Algal Research, Water Science and Technology.
Member of the Goyder Institute, Independent Panel reporting on Future urban water management options for a vibrant and resilient Adelaide.
I am a co-editor of the textbook Environmental Health in Australia and New Zealand published by Oxford University Press.
- Community/Public Health
- Environment
- Toxicology/Toxins
- Waste Treatment
- Water Resources
- Cyanobacteria
- Public Health Aspects of Water Quality
- Waste Water Treatment
- Water Quality
Validation of wastewater treatment in a rural South Australian community using high rate algal ponds (HRAPs), International ICEWaRMwebinar August 2016 http://www.icewarm.com.au/australian-water-school/short-courses/course/webinar-community-wastewater-reuse/
ICEWaRM webinar July 2017 Community Waste Water Reuse with High Rate Algal Ponds HRAP #2 considers treatment mechanisms
ICEWaRM Webinar July 2018 https://www.icewarm.com.au/australian-water-school/resources/webinar-community-wastewater-reuse-with-hrap-3/
Oaklands Park Wetlands and Education Centre initiative 2020 https://www.marion.sa.gov.au/things-to-do/wetlands/oaklands-wetland
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
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