Samuel Farrah

Professor  & Undergraduate Coordinator

Department of Microbiology and Cell Science
University of Florida 
Ph.D:(1974) Department of Microbiology 
The Pennsylvania State University  University Park, PA 
Postdoctoral: (1974 - 1977) Department of Virology and Epidemiology  Baylor College of Medicine, Houston TX 

Teaching Interests

MCB 4203, Bacterial and Viral Pathogens
MCB 4203L Experiments with Bacterial Pathogens

Research Interests

General areas: Adsorption of microorganisms to solids; modification of solids to increase adsorption or inactivation of microorganisms.

We are studying the factors that influence adsorption of microorganisms to solids.  The solids include inorganic solids (such as sand and microporous filters), biological solids (such as waste water sludge flocs), and both fresh water and marine sediments.  One goal of this work is to provide physical-chemical explanations of adsorption and to explain the differential adsorption of microorganisms that has been observed.  It is anticipated that these studies will also lead to improved procedures for recovering microorganisms, especially pathogens, from environmental samples.

We are also studying procedures for modifying solids that alter the charge and hydrophobic nature of the solids.  These solids are then studied for their ability to adsorb microorganisms in water.  It is hoped that these studies will lead to improved methods for detecting pathogenic microorganisms in water and to improved procedures for their removal.

Selected Publications

Shields, P.A., S.R. Farrah, and D.O. Shah. 1991. The correlation of hydrophile lipophile balance of filters with virus desorption. J. Environ. Sci. Health. A26:711-719.

Asghari, A. and S.R. Farrah. 1993. Inactivation of bacteria by solids coated with magnesium peroxide. J. Environ. Sci. Health. A28:779-793.

Paul, J.H., J.B. Rose, J. Brown, E.A. Shinn, S. Miller, and S.R. Farrah. 1995. Viral tracer studies indicate contamination of marine waters by sewage disposal practices in Key Largo, Florida. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 61:2230-2234.

Lukasik, J., S.R. Farrah, S. Truesdail, and D.O. Shah. 1996. Adsorption of microorganisms to sand and diatomaceous earth particles coated with metallic hydroxides. Kona 14:87-91.

Paul, J.P., J.B. Rose, S.C. Jiang, X. Zhou, P. Cochran, C. Kellog, J.B. Kang, D. Griffin, S. Farrah, and J. Lukasik. 1997. Evidence for groundwater and surface marine water contamination by waste disposal wells in the Florida Keys. Water Res. 31:1448-1454.

Top