For her leadership in the SARS-CoV-2 wastewater testing program during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jennifer Becker has been selected to receive Michigan Technological University's 2024 Faculty Distinguished Service Award.
As the COVID-19 pandemic began, Jennifer Becker's dedication to protecting public and environmental health motivated her to develop and lead a SARS-CoV-2 wastewater testing program at Michigan Tech. Becker, an associate professor in Tech's Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering, faced numerous challenges, from establishing effective testing protocols to securing necessary materials and recruiting skilled students for the project. Despite these obstacles, the program successfully monitored and managed COVID-19 in Michigan Tech's residence halls. Becker's ability to adapt and innovate in response to these challenges was instrumental in the program's success. For her efforts, she was awarded the University's 2024 Faculty Distinguished Service Award.
"As an environmental engineer, my life's work has been dedicated to protecting public and environmental health," said Becker. "I was eager to help the Michigan Tech community thrive during, and despite, the pandemic."
Distinguished Faculty Service Award
The Michigan Tech Faculty Distinguished Service Award recognizes faculty whose service to the University community has significantly improved the quality of some aspect of campus or community life. The award is intended to recognize exceptional rather than integrated service. The work could have resulted, in part, from compensated efforts, but it must have been of a level that distinguishes itself above and beyond the normal execution of those tasks. Nominations are solicited from University members and reviewed by the award committee. Winners receive $2,500 and a plaque at an awards dinner sponsored by the Office of the President in the fall.
Collaborating with Eric Seagren, a professor and professional engineer from the same department, Becker leveraged her extensive research on human pathogens in wastewater treatment to design a COVID-19 surveillance program. The project aimed to predict COVID-19 outbreaks by monitoring campus wastewater flows for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the disease. "I had been studying the inactivation of a broad range of human pathogens in wastewater treatment solids for several years," said Becker. "After a few pioneering researchers reported that quantification of SARS-CoV-2 could predict the emergence of COVID-19 in communities, I pitched the idea to Sarah Schulte and the Michigan Tech Flex team that a SARS-CoV-2 wastewater surveillance program could help Michigan Tech manage and limit the impact of COVID-19 in the residential halls."
Schulte is the University's general counsel and was the chair of the MTU Flex Task Force — a team of Michigan Tech officials who planned, implemented and adjusted Tech's response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Becker said developing the protocols for extracting and quantifying SARS-CoV-2 from wastewater was a significant challenge, but one that was crucial for the community's safety. "We had to be innovative and resourceful to overcome supply shortages and the novelty of the virus," said Becker.
"Jennifer's ability to establish, coordinate and conduct wastewater testing during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed Michigan Tech to make decisions related to providing students with as much in-person education as possible, while keeping safety at the forefront."
Planting the Seeds of Service
Becker's journey into environmental engineering was shaped by her early experiences in Naperville, Illinois, and the Black Forest region of Germany. Growing up in a family that valued nature, Becker's Sundays were often spent exploring the nearby Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois, or hiking in the Black Forest during visits to Germany. These early experiences fostered a deep appreciation for nature and respect for the environment, but it was a trip to the Black Forest in the 1980s that solidified her career path.
"I saw the widespread damage to the pine trees caused by acid rain and knew I wanted to pursue a career that could help reverse such environmental damage," Becker said. The devastated forest inspired her to commit to environmental engineering, aiming to mitigate the impact of human activities on the world.
Becker made a midcareer move to Michigan Tech in 2010, a couple of years after earning tenure at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she felt like a highly valued faculty member. "I did so because I really wanted to be part of, and contribute to, the unique and impactful research and educational programs in the CEGE department specifically, and Michigan Tech in general," she said, noting that being recognized for her service to the University confirms that it was a good decision all those years ago.
Becker shares that receiving the Faculty Distinguished Service Award has been a validation of her efforts. "Throughout my career, I have been engaged in service, not only to my department and to Michigan Tech, but also to the broader environmental engineering and science profession," said Becker.
"I chose this path, rather than focusing exclusively on advancing my own professional trajectory, because I find it very rewarding to help others succeed and promote the great work that we are all doing."
Reflecting on the pandemic, Becker recalled a particularly rewarding moment. "It was really memorable the first time we obtained our own evidence that wastewater surveillance really works," she said. After collecting and analyzing wastewater samples for some time, Becker and the team observed SARS-CoV-2 levels spike up in the flows from specific residence halls due to students with COVID-19 beginning to shed the virus before developing symptoms. A few days later, documented cases of COVID were reported and the impacted students were moved into isolation units.
"What was rewarding was that in the meantime, I was able to notify the MTU Flex team members of the rising SARS-CoV-2 levels and they in turn encouraged students in those buildings to get tested for COVID to help limit the spread of the illness," said Becker.
Collaborative Efforts and Teamwork
The success of the wastewater surveillance program was a testament to Becker's ability to coordinate and lead a diverse team. Essential contributions came from Larry Hermanson, MTU's former director of energy management, and facilities site engineer Dan Liebau, who both helped with sample collection logistics, as well as Seagren, who managed the student sampling teams. Becker emphasized the importance of teamwork and credited the dedication and enthusiasm of her colleagues and students for the program's achievements.
"It is absolutely true that many groups and individuals played essential roles in developing and implementing the wastewater surveillance program," Becker said. "The dedication of our team was incredible and everyone's contributions were vital."
"Dr. Becker is a passionate wastewater professional and she cares immensely about our students and Michigan Tech. This project allowed her to bring all of her passions together to serve the Michigan Tech community."
Becker's efforts extended beyond the University as the wastewater surveillance program expanded to the local community and the Western Upper Peninsula. Participating in initiatives like the UP Community Health Town Hall Series, Becker raised awareness about the benefits of wastewater surveillance. Her work received positive feedback from the community, highlighting the program's significant impact.
"It was great to be a part of the efforts to establish wastewater surveillance in the Western Upper Peninsula and help raise awareness of the power of this tool," Becker said.
Teaching and Motivation During the Pandemic
Balancing her faculty duties with the demands of the pandemic response was another major challenge for Becker. She continued to teach her senior wastewater treatment design course in a blended format while leading the surveillance program.
"That period is one of several during my professional career that is a blur because my work schedule was so relentless," Becker said. "It was a lot of work to administer the course in an online format while also creating an in-person educational experience for the cohort of students who made a point of consistently joining me in the classroom."
Becker attributes her ability to manage the workload to her passion for education and support from dedicated graduate students like J.P. Harron. She said those in-person interactions with her students really inspired her as an educator. "The opportunity to teach in person helped keep me motivated and reminded me of the importance of wastewater surveillance work during 2020, when we were social distancing and largely isolated from each other."
Working closely with students, Becker witnessed their dedication and resilience. Their involvement in the wastewater testing program not only contributed to its success but also provided them with invaluable professional experience. She believes the project taught students critical skills such as multitasking, maintaining a positive attitude and recognizing the importance of teamwork, all of which will serve them well in their careers.
"These students enthusiastically went out with their dippers and sampling cart, even in downpours and snowstorms, to pry open manholes and retrieve raw sewage because, like me, they wanted to do something positive for the Michigan Tech community," Becker said. "Their dedication speaks volumes about our student population."
Vision for the Future
Becker shared her excitement about new opportunities and projects, particularly in understanding antibiotic resistance in wastewater and promoting sustainable environmental engineering practices.
"Our newest environmental engineering faculty member, Ishi Keenum, is interested in understanding how wastewater treatment affects the abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in wastewater and the spread of antimicrobial resistance in general," Becker said. "This field of work has broad public health implications and I look forward to continuing our research."
Becker also advised her fellow faculty and researchers to embrace civic engagement activities that benefit the community. She emphasized the importance of working together and using one's expertise to address critical challenges, encouraging others to step up and serve during pivotal times.
"The strength of an institution like Michigan Tech depends, in part, on the willingness of its faculty to work together as members of a community. I encourage others to use their expertise in civic engagement activities that benefit the Michigan Tech community and general public."
Looking back, Becker marveled at the collective pandemic health and safety efforts put forth by Michigan Tech's campus community. "When I reflect on the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, I am still amazed that Michigan Tech set up a COVID-testing lab, conducted contact tracing and a community health virtual town hall series, in addition to implementing the wastewater surveillance program," said Becker. "It was a privilege to be part of this extraordinary effort at Michigan Tech. Receiving the 2024 Faculty Distinguished Service Award is an unexpected and much-appreciated bonus."
Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to nearly 7,500 students from more than 60 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigan’s flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure.
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