Timothy M LaPara

Timothy M LaPara is a Professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo- Engineering at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on water quality, antibiotic resistance, and environmental microbiology, with particular expertise in drinking water distribution systems, wastewater treatment, and pathogen detection. He has maintained an active research program since 1997 with over 105 research outputs and 32 projects and grants throughout his career.

Dr. LaPara's research interests primarily center around antibiotic resistance genes, bacterial communities in engineered water systems, drinking water distribution, and biofilm formation. His work has significant implications for public health, particularly regarding Legionella and other opportunistic pathogens in water systems. He has been particularly active in studying the antibiotic resistome in municipal wastewater treatment processes and the impact of anthropogenic activities on surface water environments.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on cutting-edge water quality issues, including proximity-ligation metagenomic sequence analysis of antibiotic resistance, detection methods for opportunistic pathogens, and the effectiveness of disinfectants against Legionella. His research portfolio includes significant work on wastewater treatment optimization, biofilter characterization, and anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge.

Dr. LaPara has been recognized in media for his expertise during public health crises, including providing commentary on Covid-19 and drinking water safety, well water testing for coronavirus, and Legionella concerns in university buildings during the pandemic. His work contributes to several UN Sustainable Development Goals related to clean water and public health.

His current research projects include 'Enhancing Wastewater Treatment while Bioprospecting for Novel Pharmaceuticals' (2024-2027), 'Thermophilic anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge' (2022-2025), and 'Innovations in sampling, (bio)analytical chemistry, and analytics to characterize disinfectant use tradeoffs in U.S. water systems' (2023-2025). These projects reflect his ongoing commitment to addressing critical water quality challenges through innovative engineering solutions.