Erik R. Coats, P.E., Ph.D.

Erik Coats has focused his research efforts on advancing microbial processes for upcycling organic waste streams to high-value commodities and on developing an enhanced understanding of microbial wastewater treatment processes. To date, his research team has advanced a biotechnology for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs; biological, biodegradable thermoplastics) on fermented organic waste, with commercial application on the horizon. The PHA process readily integrates with anaerobic digestion, but can also be deployed independently. Coats’ research team also has conducted extensive research into the wastewater treatment process known as enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR), with a particular emphasis on process optimization to reliably achieve better quality effluent. Phosphorus in reclaimed water is of great concern in many regions of the U.S. and wastewater treatment plants commonly employ non-sustainable chemical treatment methods to meet permit criteria. Among other efforts, Coats is advancing a post-anoxic EBPR process that can achieve better phosphorus and nitrogen removal than conventional processes while requiring less energy.

Prior to earning his doctorate, Erik Coats spent 13 years working as a professional consulting engineer, mostly in the Portland, Ore. region, designing municipal water and wastewater systems. After earning his doctorate, Coats returned to his alma mater, joining the U of I Civil & Environmental Engineering faculty in 2006. Coats is a licensed professional engineer in Oregon, Washington and Idaho, and his technical background includes civil/environmental engineering, microbiology, biochemistry and biotechnology. Coats remains very engaged with the engineering consulting profession; he has served on the Pacific NW Clean Water Association Board of Directors and regularly provides expertise to wastewater utilities in the region.

• Washington Dairy Products Commission. Separating and concentrating value from dairy wastes.
• National Science Foundation, CBET-Environmental Sustainability. Synthesizing Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Fermented Dairy Manure.
• Idaho Dairymen’s Association. Producing Commercial Bio-Plastics from Fermented Dairy Manure.
• Idaho INBRE (Idea Network of Biomedical Research). Characterizing the Microbial Ecology of EBPR Systems Cultured on Synthetic and Real Wastewaters.