Robert Delatolla

Biography

Professor Robert Delatolla is an Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa. He is a member of the International Water Association (IWA) and the Canadian Association of Water Quality (CAWQ).  Professor Delatolla received his Ph.D. from the Department of Chemical Engineering at McGill University.  During his Ph.D. work, Professor Delatolla modified and used molecular and microscopic techniques to investigate the microbial populations responsible for removing ammonia from Canadian wastewater treatment plants.  Professor Delatolla worked as an Environmental Engineer and Project Manager at Gartner Lee Ltd. and Biogenie S.R.D.C. Inc., where he conducted soil and groundwater remediation projects.  During his tenure at the University of Ottawa he has worked on collaborative research ventures with various industrial partners, including Bishop Water, Veolia Water and Veolia Water Technologies Canada. Professor Delatolla’s current research is focused on critical water and wastewater treatment issues.  His expertise lies in biological treatment with a focus on the characterisation and optimization of biofilm treatment systems. He has particular interest in developing understanding at the meso and micro-scale to improve design and operation at the macro-scale. Professor Delatolla is currently working on characterising biofilms in water, stormwater and wastewater treatment systems; optimization advanced biofilm treatment systems; ammonia removal at cold temperatures by moving bed biofilm reactors; biological treatment of industrial wastewaters, biofiltration performance as a means of disinfection by-product removal and optimization of anaerobic digestion.  

Research Interest

  Fields of Interest Biofilm technologies Biofilm characterisation Waterwater, stormwater and water treatment Nitrification Cold temperature design