About

Kevin R. Sowers, Ph.D. is an anaerobic microbiologist with over 30 years experience in biomass conversion to methane and microbial bioremediation. Current research projects include the application of methanogenic processes for waste management in land-based recirculating mariculture systems and development of novel approaches for in situ bioremediation of PCBs in sediments.

Research interests

Biology of methanogenesis and microbial bioremediation

Teaching interests

Environmental microbiology/physiology

Education

  • Ph D, Anaerobic MicrobiologyVirginia Tech (1984)
    Physiological and Phylogenetic Studies of Marine Methanogenic Bacteria
  • MA, Biology/MicrobiologyState University College at Buffalo (1979)
    Enrichment for and Preliminary Characterization of Trimethylamine N-Oxide Metabolizing Marine Bacteria
  • BA, BiologyState University College at Buffalo (1976)

Publications

  • Potential risk reduction of Aroclor 1254 by microbial reductive dechlorination in anaerobic Grasse River sediment microcosms 2016 J. Haz. Mat. · 321 · pp. 879-887 Devrim Kaya, Kevin R Sowers
  • Microbial community diversity and function in biofiltration compartments of an Atlantic salmon marine recirculating aquaculture system In Preparation; Not Yet Submitted Anne Baldino, Keiko Saito, Teressa Dumadag, Tsetavan Bachvaroff, Kevin R Sowers, Harold J Schreier

Presentations

  • Microbial community structure and function in biofiltration compartments of an Atlantic salmon marine recirculating aquaculture system. 2025 Sustainable Aquaculture Systems Supporting Atlantic Salmon (SAS2) Conference · USDA · Oral Presentation Anne Baldino (Author & Presenter), Keiko Saito (Author), Teressa Dumadag (Author), Tsvetan Bachvaroff (Author), Kevin R Sowers (Author), Harold J Schreier (Author)
  • Solid waste treatment for saltwater RAS: Microbial anaerobic digestion and biomethane production 2017 4th NordicRAS Workshop on Recirculating Aquaculture Systems · DTU Aqua/NordicRAS · Oral Presentation Keiko Saito (Author & Presenter), Brigit Quinn (Author), Yonathan Zohar (Author), Kevin R Sowers (Author)

Grants and Contracts

  • In-line conversion of salmon smolt solid waste to biomethane 2017 Cermaq Norway and Sterner AS · Sponsored Research · Funded Keiko Saito (Co-Principal), Yonathan Zohar (Principal), Kevin R Sowers (Principal)
  • Opportunities for increased aquaculture profitability by converting aquaculture wastes to valuable biomethane and biofertilizer NRAC-USDA · Grant · Not Funded Keiko Saito (Principal), Yonathan Zohar (Co-Principal), Kevin R Sowers (Co-Principal), Eric Pedersen (Supporting)