David McCarthy is a world-renowned environmental engineer focusing on the biosurveillance of pathogens in urban water systems and the development of methodologies to monitor and manage these to protect human health. His research spans health-related water microbiology, risk assessments, pathogen fate and transport, urban hydrology, stormwater management, green water treatment technologies, and novel IoT devices for the monitoring and sampling of water quality. David's work has significantly impacted industry practices, including the development of novel stormwater treatment systems and real-time monitoring and control technologies for urban water systems.
David McCarthy's research has significantly influenced urban water management practices and policies. His work on stormwater treatment, pathogen monitoring, and water quality has provided crucial information to farming organizations and governments, helping them make informed policy decisions. He has developed novel technologies for real-time monitoring of urban water systems, including a 3D-printed passive sampler for SARS-CoV-2 monitoring in wastewater, which has been deployed over 40,000 times worldwide, helping protect lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. David’s recent work focusses on new technologies for the monitoring of faecal contamination in water systems.
This project involves the development and deployment of a novel 3D-printed passive sampler for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater. The technology has been widely adopted, with over 40,000 deployments globally, contributing significantly to public health efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This project focuses on developing low-cost sensors for detecting illegal discharges and monitoring water quality in urban waterways. It includes the deployment of a "sensor army" in the Stony Creek catchment to reduce industrial contamination.
This research aims to understand the nutrient loading dynamics into Port Phillip and Western Port bays, providing crucial information for environmental management and policy-making.
This ARC Linkage Project explores the use of real time monitoring systems, such as sensors and cloud-based logging systems, to understand pollutant dynamics in water treatment systems and then apply numerical models to then create control algorithms which adjust the water dynamics to improve overall water quality treatment processes.
The Hub expects to transform Australian capabilities by delivering cutting-edge technologies, and novel visualisation and analytics methods, supported by new business models. The objectives of the ARC Research Hub in the Internet of Things for Water include: developing new sensor technologies; developing advanced visualization and data analytics; and developing algorithms for real-time control of water systems, including water supply, wastewater and stormwater.
Access to safe water and sanitation is a global concern. Contaminated water and poor sanitation transmit disease and expose individuals to preventable health risks. The challenge of managing waterborne risks will only intensify as water supply and quality are impacted by population growth, human-driven development and climate change. As the Canada Excellence Research Chair in Waterborne Pathogens, Dr. David McCarthy and his team at the University of Guelph will spearhead the development of much-needed solutions to safeguard water supply in Canada and around the world, developing innovative technologies to detect pathogens and their sources in near real-time, model how humans interact with sources of contamination, and reduce pathogen loads in the environment. Their work will emphasize solutions that are easy to use, low-cost, open source and open hardware, to encourage and enable their use in diverse communities across the globe.
David is committed to providing a supportive and enriching experience for his graduate students. He strives to strike a balance between guidance and independence, encouraging students to take ownership of their projects while offering support when needed. David holds regular meetings with his graduate students to discuss project progress and address any challenges. He has supervised 27 PhD and 3 Masters students to completion, and his mentorship has been recognized with the 2012 Monash Postgraduate Supervisor of the Year award.
Prospective students interested in working with David should check this website for current opportunities and reach out via email. His research group, the Environmental and Public Health Microbiology Laboratory (EPHM Lab), hosts a dynamic team of research technicians, research fellows, and PhD students, providing a collaborative and supportive environment for graduate research.
For a full list of David's publications, refer to his Google Scholar profile.