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Milton Sommerfeld

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Biography: 

Milton Sommerfeld was a professor in the Department of Applied Biological Sciences and co-director of the Laboratory of Algae Research and Biotechnology. He served as chair of the Department of Botany and Microbiology (1980-88), and associate dean for research and facilities in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (1989-2004). He mentored more than 60 master's students and doctoral students, 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. He passed away on May 16, 2017. 

He received the Graduate Mentor Award from the ASU Graduate College (1985), Alumni Association Outstanding Teaching Award from the ASU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (1987), Arizona Technology Enterprize's 2007 Innovator of the Year for technologies related to algae biofuels, Algae biofuels research listed as #11 on Time Magazine's 50 Best Inventions of 2008.

Education: 
  • Ph.D. Botany, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO, 1968
  • B.S. Biology, Southwest Texas State College, San Marcos, TX, 1962
Publications: 
  • J Wang, Milton Sommerfeld, Q Hu. Genes encoding plastid terminal oxidase in Haematococcus pluvialis: cDNA cloning, characterization, and expression under oxidative stress. Journal of Phycology (2006).
  • J Wang, Y Li, Milton Sommerfeld, Q Hu. Cloning, identification, and characterization of several superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes in Haematococcus pluvialis. Journal of Phycology (2006).
  • L Baker, P Westerhoff, Milton Sommerfeld. An adaptive management strategy using multiple barriers to control taste and odor. Journal of the American Water Works Association (2006).
  • M Bellefeuille, Q Hu, Milton Sommerfeld. Biological carbon dioxide sequestration using a recently isolated microalgal strain. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, Proceedings (2006).
  • M Bellefeuille, Q Hu, Milton Sommerfeld. Biological nitrate removal from contaminated agricultural runoff water in an outdoor photobioreactor by the microalga Scenedesmus sp. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, Proceedings (2006).
  • Q Hu, C Zhang, Milton Sommerfeld. Biodiesel from algae: lessons learned over the past 60 years and future perspectives. Journal of Phycology (2006).
  • Y Li, J Wang, Milton Sommerfeld, Q Hu. Effects of photon flux density on carotenogenesis in Haematococcus pluvialis (Chorophyceae): comparison between wild type and astaxanthin-overproduction mutant. Journal of Phycology (2006).
  • Bellefeuille, M, Hu, Q, Sommerfeld, Milton. Biological carbon dioxide sequestration using a recently isolated microalgal strain. (2006).
  • Bellefeuille, M, Hu, Q, Sommerfeld, Milton. Biological nitrate removal from contaminated agricultural runoff water in an outdoor photobioreactor by the microalga Scenedesmus sp. (2006).
  • Hu, Q, Zhang, C, Sommerfeld, Milton. Biodiesel from algae: lessons learned over the past 60 years and future perspectives. (2006).
  • Li, Y, Wang, J, Sommerfeld, Milton, Hu, Q. Effects of photon flux density on carotenogenesis in Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae): comparison between wild type and astaxanthin-over production mutant. (2006).
  • Wang, J, Li, Y, Sommerfeld, Milton, Hu, Q. Cloning, identification, and characterization of sever superoxide dismutase (SOD) genes in Haematococcus pluvialis. (2006).
  • Wang, J, Sommerfeld, Milton, Hu, Q. Genesencoding plastid terminal oxidase in Haematococcus pluvialis: c-DNA cloning, characterization, and expression under oxidative stress. (2006).
  • M Nguyen, P Westerhoff, L Baker, M Esparza-Soto, Q Hu, Milton Sommerfeld. Characteristics and reactivity of algae-produced dissolved organic carbon. Journal of Environmental Engineering (2005).
  • P Westerhoff, M Rodriquez-Hernandez, L Baker, Milton Sommerfeld. Seasonal occurrence and degradation of 2-methylisoborneol in water supply reservoirs. Water Research (2005).
  • S Wang, Q Hu, Milton Sommerfeld, F Chen. Isolation and proteomic analysis of cell wall-deficient Haematococcus pluvialis mutants. Proteomics (2005).
  • Hu, Q, Sommerfeld, Milton, Lu, F. Cellular and molecular responses of Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae) under oxidative stress. (2005).
  • Li, Y, Sommerfeld, Milton, Chen, F, Hu, Q. Re-examining the role of carotenogenesis in stress response of Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae). (2005).
  • Wang, J, Li, Y, Sommerfeld, Milton, Hu, Q. Isoenzymes of superoxide dismutase in Haematococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae) under oxidative stress. (2005).
  • G Liu, Z Hu, Milton Sommerfeld, Q Hu. Haematoccus lipid bodies: isolation, composition and biogenesis. Journal of Phycology, Proceedings Supplement (2004).
  • J Rousch, S Bingham, Milton Sommerfeld. Protein expression during heat stress in thermo-intolerant and thermo-tolerant diatoms. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology (2004).
  • M Bellefeuille, Q Hu, Milton Sommerfeld. Bioabsorption of surface water contaminants through microalgal mass culture. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Sciences, Proceedings Isssue (2004).
  • N Case, Milton Sommerfeld, Q Hu. A search for high performance microalgae to remediate nitrate-contaminated groundwater: concept and preliminary results. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Sciences, Proceedings (2004).
  • S Wang, Milton Sommerfeld, F Chen, Q Hu. Proteomic analysis of molecular response to oxidative stress by the green alga Haemoatococcus pluvialis (Chlorophyceae). Planta (2004).
  • S Wang, Q Hu, Milton Sommerfeld, F Chen. Cell wall proteonomics of the green alga Haematococcus pluvialis. Proteomics (2004).
  • Z Hu, Milton Sommerfeld, Q Hu. Astaxanthin's role in protecting Haematococcus pluvialis against oxidative stress: new evidence from an astaxanthin-overproduction mutant. Journal of Phycology, Proceedings Supplement (2004).
  • Esparza-Soto, M, Alum, A, Rashid, A, Westerhoff, P, Abbaszadegan, M, Sommerfeld, Milton, Mobasher, B. Coatings and cement-based biocides to control algae growth and taste and odor release in water distribution canals. (2004).
  • Westerhoff, P, Walker, G, Hu, Q, Sommerfeld, Milton. Algae metabolites in Arizona surface waters. (2004).
  • F Chen, G Liu, Q Hu, S Wang, Z Hu, Milton Sommerfeld. Proteonomics of Haematococcus pluvialis: new opportunities for study of genomics of a non-sequenced species. Journal of Phycology (2003).
  • F Chen, Q Hu, S Wang, Milton Sommerfeld. An optimized protocol for isolation of soluble proteins from microalgae for two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis. Journal of Applied Phycology (2003).
  • F Chen, Q Hu, S Wang, Milton Sommerfeld. Cell wall proteonomics of the green alga Haematococcus pluralis. Journal of Phycology (2003).
  • G Liu, Q Hu, Milton Sommerfeld, Z Hu. Astacene is a major secondary carotenoid in the green alga Palmellococcus miniatus. Journal of Phycology (2003).
  • J Rousch, S Bingham, Milton Sommerfeld. Changes in fatty acid profiles of thermo-intolerant and thermo-tolerant marine diatoms during temperature stress. Journal of Experimental Biology and Ecology (2003).
  • M Bellefeuille, Hu Qiang, Milton Sommerfeld. A promising microalgal candidate for biological CO2 sequestration and high value carotenoids production. Journal of Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, Proceedings (2003).
  • Q Hu, C Budinoff, G Liu, Milton Sommerfeld, P Westerhoff. Use of molecular probe to detect taste/odor causing cyanobacteria in the Phoenix drinking water distribution system. Journal of Phycology (2003).
  • Q Hu, Milton Sommerfeld, L Baker, P Westerhoff. Canal wall brushing - a control measure for taste and odor problems in drinking water supplies in arid environments. AQUA (2003).
  • Q Hu, Milton Sommerfeld, D Lowry, T Dempster, P Westerhoff, L Baker, D Bruce, M Nguyen. Production and release of geosmin by the cyanobacterium Oscillatona splendida isolated from a Phoenix water source. Journal of Phycology (2001).
  • T Dempster, D Lowry, Milton Sommerfeld. Identification and isolation of organisms causing taste and odor problems in surface water supplies of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona. Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, Proceedings (2001).
  • T Dempster, Milton Sommerfeld, L Baker, Q Hu, D Lowry, M Nguyen, P Westerhoff, D Bruce. An overview of microorganism-related taste and odor problems in surface water supplies of metropolitan Phoenix. Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science (2001).
  • Bruce, D, Westerhoff, P, Sommerfeld, Milton, Baker, L, Nguyen, M, Hu, Q, Dempster, T, Lowry, D. Production, sources and degradation of algal metabolites (MIB/Geosmin in Arizona reservoirs rivers and canals. (2001).
  • J Hunter, M Compton, D Crowl, Milton Sommerfeld. Diatoms of Town Lake. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science (2000).
  • J Hunter, Milton Sommerfeld. Urban lake-relationships between source water, lake age, water quality and biota. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science (2000).
  • J Rousch, S Bingham, Milton Sommerfeld. Protein expression during heat stress in thermo-intolerant and thermo-tolerant diatoms. Journal of Phycology (2000).
  • K McGinnis, Milton Sommerfeld. Plastid fatty acid biosynthesis in the diatoms Nitzschia alba and Nitzschia laevis. Journal of Phycology (2000).
  • N Engel, K McGinnis, Milton Sommerfeld. The effects of silicon depletion on lipid metabolism in the diatom Chaetoceros muelleri. Journal of the Arizona-Nevada of Science (2000).
  • Q Hu, T Dempster, D Lowry, Milton Sommerfeld, P Westerhoff, D Bruce, M Nguyen, L Baker. Algal-related tastes and odors in Phoenix water supply: preliminary report. Journal of Phycology (2000).
Research Activity: 
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
MCB 591Seminar
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
MCB 591Seminar
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
MCB 591Seminar
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
PLB 495Undergraduate Research
MCB 591Seminar
Presentations: 
  • Dempster, T, Duffy, L, Sommerfeld, Milton. The impacts of increased alum addition on PAC efficiency for the removal of MIB and geosmin. AWPCA Tri-State Seminar (Sep 2005).
  • Dempster, T, Sommerfeld, Milton. Operational and financial benefits of real-time monitoing of MIB and geosmin. AWPCA Tri-State Seminar (Sep 2005).
  • Westerhoff, P, Bruce, D, Sommerfeld, Milton, Baker, L, Hu, Q, Nguyen, M, Lowry, D, Dawson, S. Production sources and degradation of algal metabolites (MIB/Geosmin) in Arizona reservoirs, rivers, and canals. AWWA Annual Conference (Jun 2001).
  • Westerhoff, P, Bruce, D, Sommerfeld, Milton, Baker, L, Hu, Q, Nguyen, M, Lowry, D, Dawson, S. Spatial occurrence and degradation of MIB in local surface water. AWPCA Annual Conference (May 2001).
  • Westerhoff, P, Sommerfeld, Milton, Hu, Q, Dempster, T, Nguyen, M, Lowry, D. Role of Verde River reservoirs on water quality: from arsenic to algae. Verde Watershed Symposium (May 2001).
  • Nguyen, M, Westerhoff, P, Baker, L, Sommerfeld, Milton. Production of DOC/DBP precursors from algal growth in arid region water supply. AWWA Water Quality Technology Conference (Nov 2000).
  • Baker, L, Westerhoff, P, Sommerfeld, Milton. Multi-barrier approach for taste and odor control. AWWA Water quality Technology Conference (Nov 2000).
  • Bruce, D, Westerhoff, P, Sommerfeld, Milton, Baker, L, Nguyen, M, HU, Q, Dempster, T, Lowry, D. Occurrence and potential causes of Geosmin and MIB in Arizona drinking waters. Annual Conference, AWPCA (May 2000).
Service: 
  • Department of Applied Biological Sciences (Polytechnic Campus) Personnel Committee, Chair (2006 - 2007)
  • Phycological Society of America, Member, Bold Award Committee (2006 - 2007)
  • Research projects for Hamilton and Corona Del Sol high school students, Co-advisor (2006 - 2006)
  • Applied Biological Sciences, ASU Polytechnic campus/ Personnel Committee, Member (2005 - 2006)
  • Building Committee, Member (2003 - 2005)
  • Intel International Science and Engineering Fair - Phoenix 2005, Member, Advisory Board (2002 - 2005)
  • International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF 2005) Advisory Committee, Co-chair Operations Committee (2002 - 2005)
  • Arizona-Nevada Academy of Science, Chair, Outstanding Service Award Committee (2004 - 2004)
  • Oversight Committee for Review of Internal Audit and Management Services, Member (2000 - 2004)
  • College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Associate Dean for Research and Facilities (2004 - 2004)
  • First Annual Minority Graduate Fair and Student Research Conference, ASU, Judge (2001 - 2001)