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Milton Sommerfeld

Milton Sommerfeld

Professor, The Polytechnic School, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering

The Polytechnic School
Arizona State University, Polytechnic campus
6073 S Backus Mall
Mesa, AZ 85212-0180

Titles

  • Senior Global Futures Scientist, Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory
  • Professor, The Polytechnic School, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering
  • Professor, School of Life Sciences, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Co-Director, Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation, LightWorks, Global Institute of Sustainability and Innovation

Biography

Milton Sommerfeld passed away May 16, 2017. He was a professor in the Department of Applied Biological Sciences and co-director of the Arizona Center for Algae Technology and Innovation (formerly Laboratory of Algae Research and Biotechnology), served as Chair of the Department of Botany and Microbiology (1980-1988), and was Associate Dean for Research and Facilities in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (1989-2004). He mentored over 60 M.S., Ph.D. and postdoctoral associates and numerous undergraduates. He was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Phycological Society of America, British Phycological Society, International Phycological Society, Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, The Society of Sigma Xi and the Southwestern Association of Naturalists.

Education

  • PhD, Botany, Washington University, Saint Louis, 1968
  • BS, Biology, Southwest Texas State College, 1962

Expertise

Journal Articles

2006

Baker, L. A., P. K. Westerhoff and M. R. Sommerfeld. 2006. An adaptive management strategy using multiple barriers to control tastes and odors. Journal of the American Water Works Association 98(6):113-126. (link )

2005

Nguyen, M., P. Westerhoff, L. Baker, Q. Hu, M. Esparza-Soto and M. Sommerfeld. 2005. Characteristics and reactivity of algae-produced dissolved organic carbon. Journal of Environmental Engineering 131(11):1574-1582. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2005)131:11(1574). (link )

2004

Rousch, J. M., S. E. Bingham and M. R. Sommerfeld. 2004. Protein expression during heat stress in thermo-intolerant and thermo-tolerant diatoms. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 306(2):231-243. DOI: 10.1016/j.jembe.2004.01.009. (link )

2003

Hu, Q., C. R. Budinoff, G. X. Liu and M. R. Sommerfeld. 2003. Use of molecular probe to detect taste/odor-causing cyanobacteria in the Phoenix drinking water distribution system. Journal of Phycology 39(s1):24. DOI: 10.1111/j.0022-3646.2003.03906001_70.x. (link )

Hu, Q., M. R. Sommerfeld, L. A. Baker and P. K. Westerhoff. 2003. Canal wall brushing -- a control measure for taste and odour problems in drinking water supplies in arid environments. Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology-AQUA 52(8):545-554. (link )

2000

Hu, Q., T. Dempster, D. Lowry, M. Sommerfeld, P. Westerhoff, D. Bruce, M. Nguyen and L. Baker. 2000. Algal-related tastes and odors in Phoenix water supply: Preliminary report. Journal of Phycology 36(s3):32. DOI: 10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.00001-96.x. (link )

McGinnis, K. M. and M. R. Sommerfeld. 2000. Plastid fatty acid biosynthesis in the diatoms Nitzschia alba and Nitzschia laevis. Journal of Phychology 36(s3):46. DOI: 10.1046/j.1529-8817.1999.00001-137.x. (link )

1997

McGinnis, K. M., T. A. Dempster and M. R. Sommerfeld. 1997. Characterization of the growth and lipid content of the diatom Chaetoceros muelleri. Journal of Applied Phycology 9(1):19-24. DOI: 10.1023/A:1007972214462. (link )

1990

Amalfi, F. A., E. M. Atkinson, J. D. McNaughton and M. R. Sommerfeld. 1990. Use of biotoxicity tests for estimating impaact of stormwaters on aquatic life. Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest 27-34.

Amalfi, F. A., E. M. Atkinson, J. D. McNaughton and M. R. Sommerfeld. 1990. Use of biotoxicity tests for estimating impacts of stormwaters on aquatic life.. Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest 27-34.

1988

Barclay, W. R., N. T. Nagle, S. B. Ellingson and M. R. Sommerfeld. 1988. Characterization of saline groundwater resource quality for aquatic biomass production: a statistically-based approach. Journal of Water Research 373-379.

1987

Amalfi, F. A. and M. R. Sommerfeld. 1987. A limnological investigation of an urban lake system in central Arizona. Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest 67-78.

Amalfi, F. A. and M. R. Sommerfeld. 1987. A limnological investigation of an urban lake system in central Arizona.. Hydrology and Water Resources in Arizona and the Southwest 61-66.

1984

Rampe, J. J., R. D. Jackson and M. R. Sommerfeld. 1984. Physicochemistry of the upper Gila River watershed: II. Influence of precipitation runoff and flood events on the San Francisco River. J. Ariz. Nev. Acad. Sci. 19:115-120.

Book Chapters

1993

Stromberg, J. C., M. R. Sommerfeld, D. T. Patten, J. Fry, C. Kramer, F. A. Amalfi and C. Christian. 1993. Release of effluent into the upper Santa Cruz River: ecological consideration. Pp. 81-90 American Water Works Association. Tucson, AZ.

Posters

2005

Bellefeuille, M., M. R. Sommerfeld and Q. Hu. 2005. Use of the green microalga Scenedesmus obliquus for bioremediation of nitrate-contaminated agricultural runoff in an outdoor photobioreactor. Poster presented at the 19 January 2005 CAP LTER Seventh Annual Poster Symposium, International Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. (link )

Case, N., M. R. Sommerfeld and Q. Hu. 2005. Utilizing microalgae to remediate nitrate-contaminated groundwater. Poster presented at the 19 January 2005 CAP LTER Seventh Annual Poster Symposium, International Institute of Sustainability, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. (link )

2003

Baker, L. A., P. K. Westerhoff and M. R. Sommerfeld. 2003. Management strategy to reduce tastes and odors in Phoenix's water supply. Presented at February 19, 2003, CAP LTER Fifth Annual Poster Symposium, Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. (link )

Hu, Q., A. Fortuna, M. R. Sommerfeld and P. K. Westerhoff. 2003. Physiological studies of MIB- and geosmin-producing cyanobacteria isloated from the Phoenix drinking water supply system. Presented at February 19, 2003, CAP LTER Fifth Annual Poster Symposium, Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. (link )

2002

Esparza, M., Q. Hu, P. K. Westerhoff, M. R. Sommerfeld, L. A. Baker, T. Dempster, A. Rodriguez, S. Dawson, K. Hintze, M. Cummings and M. Masles. 2002. Occurrence and treatment of algae-related taste and odor metabolites in Arizona reservoirs and urban canals. Poster presented at January 17, 2002, CAP LTER Fourth Annual Poster Symposium, Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.

Hu, Q., M. R. Sommerfeld, T. Dempster, P. K. Westerhoff, L. A. Baker and M. Nguyen. 2002. Influence of growth conditions on production and release of the taste and odor compound geosmin by a cyanobacterium isolated from the Phoenix water supply system. Poster presented at January 17, 2002, CAP LTER Fourth Annual Poster Symposium, Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ. (link )

2001

Grimm, N. B., L. A. Baker, D. Hope, W. Zhu, J. R. Anderson, A. Coppola, J. W. Edmonds, S. Grossman-Clarke, D. Jenerette, A. P. Kinzig, J. M. Klopatek, D. B. Lewis, M. A. Luck, M. R. Sommerfeld, P. K. Westerhoff, J. Wu and Y. Xu. 2001. Biogeochemical processes in an urban ecosystem, metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Poster presented at the January 19, 2001, CAP LTER Third Annual Poster Symposium, Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ. (link )

Martin, C. A., T. A. Day, J. M. Briggs, J. C. Stutz and M. R. Sommerfeld. 2001. Primary productivity at the CAP LTER. Poster presented at the January 19, 2001, CAP LTER Third Annual Poster Symposium, Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe AZ. (link )

2000

Compton, M., J. Hunter and M. R. Sommerfeld. 2000. Urban lakes -- relationships between source water, lake age, water chemistry, and biota. Poster presented at 19 January 2000, CAP LTER Second Annual Poster Symposium, Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.

1999

Compton, M., J. Hunter and M. R. Sommerfeld. 1999. Urban lakes - relationships between source water, lake age, and water quality and biota. Poster presented at the January 22, 1999, CAP LTER First Annual Poster Symposium, Center for Environmental Studies, Arizona State University, Tempe. (link )

Presentations

2003

Bellefeuille, M., Q. Hu and M. R. Sommerfeld. 2003. A promising microalgal candidate for biological CO2 sequestration and high-value carotenoid production. Presentation at the 47th Annual Meeting of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Sciences, April 12, 2003, Flagstaff, AZ. (link )

2001

Westerhoff, P. K., D. Bruce, M. Nguyen, M. R. Sommerfeld, T. Dempster, Q. Hu, L. Lowry and L. Baker. 2001. Production sources of algal metabolites (MIB and geosmin) in Arizona reservoirs, rivers, and canals. Presented at June 2001, AWWA Conference, Washington, DC.

2000

Bruce, D., P. K. Westerhoff, M. R. Sommerfeld, L. A. Baker, M. Nguyen, H. Qiang, T. Dempster and E. Lowry. 2000. Occurrence and potential causes of Geosmin and MIB in Arizona drinking waters. Presented at May 2000, AWPCA Annual Conference, Mesa, AZ.

Compton, M., J. Hunter and M. Sommerfeld. 2000. Urban lakes -- relationships between source water, lake age, water quality, and biota M. Presentation at the Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Sciences, April 15, 2000, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. (link )

Engel, N., K. M. McGinnis and M. Sommerfeld. 2000. The effects of silicon depletion on lipid metabolism in the diatom Chaetoceros muelleri. Presentation at the Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Sciences, April 15, 2000, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. (link )

Hunter, J., M. Compton and M. R. Sommerfeld. 2000. Diatoms of Town Lake. Presentation at the Forty-Fourth Annual Meeting of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, April 15, 2000, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. (link )

Conference Papers

2000

Baker, L. A., P. K. Westerhoff, D. Bruce, M. R. Sommerfeld, T. Dempster, Q. Hu and D. Lowry. 2000. Multiple barrier approach for controlling taste and odor in the Phoenix water supply. Pp. 11 Proceedings of the November 2000 AWWA Water Quality Technology Conference. 2000 AWWA Water Quality Technology Conference. Salt Lake City, Utah.