Rebecca is a Quality Control and Configuration Management Senior Scientist for the Office of Science Quality and Integrity (OSQI) where she is focused on the Quality Management System (QMS) policy and guidance for USGS laboratories.
Rebecca began her career at the USGS in 1997 working as a laboratory scientist in the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory (OWML). She became the Laboratory Manager of the OWML in 2005 and led research projects focused on monitoring for microbiological indicators and pathogens in water and understanding the processes that affect these organisms in the environment. Specific research topics included rapid detection methods for monitoring the microbiological quality of recreational waters, rapid-viability methods for homeland security applications, and microbial source tracking. In 2018-2019, she served a detail as the Acting QMS Manager for the Water Mission Area before transferring to OSQI as a staff scientist supporting QMS. Rebecca is now a QMS Senior Scientist supporting the Bureau QMS Team, consisting of mission area and regional QMS managers. She is leading the development of a document management software solution for laboratories called Q-Track.
Science and Products
Evaluation of a modified rapid viability-polymerase chain reaction method for Bacillus atrophaeus spores in water matrices
Multi-year microbial source tracking study characterizing fecal contamination in an urban watershed
Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the rive
Multi-laboratory survey of qPCR enterococci analysis method performance in U.S. coastal and inland surface waters
Microbial source tracking as a tool for TMDL development, Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri
Comparing rapid and culture indicator bacteria methods at inland lake beaches
Comparison of filters for concentrating microbial indicators and pathogens in lake-water samples
Comparative effectiveness of membrane bioreactors, conventional secondary treatment, and chlorine and UV disinfection to remove microorganisms from municipal wastewaters
Log removals of bacterial indicators, coliphage, and enteric viruses were studied in three membrane bioreactor (MBR) activated-sludge and two conventional secondary activated-sludge municipal wastewater treatment plants during three recreational seasons (May-Oct.) when disinfection of effluents is required. In total, 73 regular samples were collected from key locations throughout treatment process
Utility of Microbial Source-Tracking Markers for Assessing Fecal Contamination in the Portage River Watershed, Northwestern Ohio, 2008
Statistical assessment of DNA extraction reagent lot variability in real-time quantitative PCR
Comparison of the Immunomagnetic Separation/Adenosine Triphosphate Rapid Method and the Modified mTEC Membrane-Filtration Method for Enumeration of Escherichia coli
Predicting recreational water quality using turbidity in the Cuyahoga River, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, 2004-7
Results From a Microbial Source-Tracking Study at Villa Angela Beach, Cleveland, Ohio, 2007
Ohio Microbiology Program - NAWQA - Cycle 3
Ohio Microbiology Program - Analytical Services
Ohio Microbiology Program - Home
Microbiological Monitoring Of Groundwater Used As A Source Of Drinking Water (NAWQA Cycle 3)
Evaluation Of Rapid Viability-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RV-PCR) For Bacillus Globigii Spores In Water Matrices
Laboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory
Laboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory, 2012-2017
Science and Products
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Filter Total Items: 26
Evaluation of a modified rapid viability-polymerase chain reaction method for Bacillus atrophaeus spores in water matrices
A rapid method that provides information on the viability of organisms is needed to protect public health and ensure that remediation efforts following a release of a biological agent are effective. The rapid viability-polymerase chain reaction (RV-PCR) method combines broth culture and molecular methods to provide results on whether viable organisms are present in less than 15 h. In this study, aAuthorsRebecca N. Bushon, Amie M.G. Brady, Christopher M. Kephart, Vicente GallardoMulti-year microbial source tracking study characterizing fecal contamination in an urban watershed
Microbiological and hydrological data were used to rank tributary stream contributions of bacteria to the Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri. Concentrations, loadings and yields of E. coli and microbial source tracking (MST) markers, were characterized during base flow and storm events in five subbasins within Independence, as well as sources entering and leaving the city through the rive
AuthorsRebecca N. Bushon, Amie M.G. Brady, Eric D. Christensen, Erin A. StelzerMulti-laboratory survey of qPCR enterococci analysis method performance in U.S. coastal and inland surface waters
Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) has become a frequently used technique for quantifying enterococci in recreational surface waters, but there are several methodological options. Here we evaluated how three method permutations, type of mastermix, sample extract dilution and use of controls in results calculation, affect method reliability among multiple laboratories with respect to samAuthorsRichard A. Haugland, Shawn Siefring, Manju Varma, Kevin H. Oshima, Mano Sivaganesan, Yiping Cao, Meredith Raith, John Griffith, Stephen B. Weisberg, Rachel T. Noble, A. Denene Blackwood, Julie Kinzelman, Tamara Anan'eva, Rebecca N. Bushon, Erin A. Stelzer, Valarie J. Harwood, Katrina V. Gordon, Christopher SinigallianoMicrobial source tracking as a tool for TMDL development, Little Blue River in Independence, Missouri
The Little Blue River in Jackson County, Missouri has been listed by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources as impaired by bacteria for the protection of aquatic life and contact recreation from urban point and nonpoint sources. The Clean Water Act requires that a total maximum daily load (TMDL) for Escherichia coli (E. coli) be developed. Over a 5-year period, 108 base-flow, 87 stormflow, 4AuthorsEric D. Christensen, Rebecca N. Bushon, Amie M. G. BradyComparing rapid and culture indicator bacteria methods at inland lake beaches
A rapid method, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), for quantifying indicator bacteria in recreational waters is desirable for public health protection. We report that replacing current Escherichia coli standards with new US Environmental Protection Agency beach action values (BAVs) for enterococci by culture or qPCR may result in more advisories being posted at inland recreational lakeAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Rebecca N. Bushon, Amie M. G. Brady, Christopher M. KephartComparison of filters for concentrating microbial indicators and pathogens in lake-water samples
Bacterial indicators are used to indicate increased health risk from pathogens and to make beach closure and advisory decisions; however, beaches are seldom monitored for the pathogens themselves. Studies of sources and types of pathogens at beaches are needed to improve estimates of swimming-associated health risks. It would be advantageous and cost-effective, especially for studies conducted onAuthorsDonna S. Francy, Erin A. Stelzer, Amie M. G. Brady, Carrie Huitger, Rebecca N. Bushon, Hon S. Ip, Michael W. Ware, Eric N. Villegas, Vincent Gallardo, H.D. Alan LindquistComparative effectiveness of membrane bioreactors, conventional secondary treatment, and chlorine and UV disinfection to remove microorganisms from municipal wastewaters
Log removals of bacterial indicators, coliphage, and enteric viruses were studied in three membrane bioreactor (MBR) activated-sludge and two conventional secondary activated-sludge municipal wastewater treatment plants during three recreational seasons (May-Oct.) when disinfection of effluents is required. In total, 73 regular samples were collected from key locations throughout treatment process
AuthorsDonna S. Francy, A. Stelzer Erin, Rebecca N. Bushon, Amie M. G. Brady, Ashley G. Williston, Kimberly R. Riddell, Mark A. Borchardt, Susan K. Spencer, Terry M. GellnerUtility of Microbial Source-Tracking Markers for Assessing Fecal Contamination in the Portage River Watershed, Northwestern Ohio, 2008
An influx of concentrated animal feeding operations in northwest Ohio has prompted local agencies to examine the effects of these industrial farms on water quality in the upper Portage River watershed. The utility of microbial source-tracking (MST) tools as a means of characterizing sources of fecal contamination in the watershed was evaluated. From 2007 to 2008, scientists with the U.S. GeologicaAuthorsChristopher M. Kephart, Rebecca N. BushonStatistical assessment of DNA extraction reagent lot variability in real-time quantitative PCR
Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability in lots of a DNA extraction kit using real-time PCR assays for Bacillus anthracis, Francisella tularensis and Vibrio cholerae. Methods and Results: Replicate aliquots of three bacteria were processed in duplicate with three different lots of a commercial DNA extraction kit. This experiment was repeated in triplicate. Results showed that cAuthorsR.N. Bushon, C.M. Kephart, G. F. Koltun, D.S. Francy, F. W. Schaefer, H.D. Alan LindquistComparison of the Immunomagnetic Separation/Adenosine Triphosphate Rapid Method and the Modified mTEC Membrane-Filtration Method for Enumeration of Escherichia coli
Water quality at beaches is monitored for fecal indicator bacteria by traditional, culture-based methods that can take 18 to 24 hours to obtain results. A rapid detection method that provides estimated concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria within 1 hour from the start of sample processing would allow beach managers to post advisories or close the beach when the conditions are actually consideAuthorsAmie M. G. Brady, Rebecca N. Bushon, Erin E. BertkePredicting recreational water quality using turbidity in the Cuyahoga River, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio, 2004-7
The Cuyahoga River within Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) in Ohio is often impaired for recreational use because of elevated concentrations of bacteria, which are indicators of fecal contamination. During the recreational seasons (May through August) of 2004 through 2007, samples were collected at two river sites, one upstream of and one centrally-located within CVNP. Bacterial concentrationsAuthorsAmie M. G. Brady, Rebecca N. Bushon, Meg B. PlonaResults From a Microbial Source-Tracking Study at Villa Angela Beach, Cleveland, Ohio, 2007
During the 2007 recreational season at Villa Angela Beach in Cleveland, Ohio, scientists with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) found high Escherichia coli (E. coli) concentrations that were not easily explained by results obtained to date in ongoing investigations of recreational water quality at the beach. To help understand the sources behAuthorsRebecca N. Bushon, Erin A. Stelzer, Donald M. Stoeckel - Science
Ohio Microbiology Program - NAWQA - Cycle 3
The goal of microbiological monitoring in NAWQA Cycle 3 is to determine the occurrence and distribution of indicators and pathogens in public and domestic groundwater supplies. LINKS: Back to MIOH Microbiology HomepageOhio Microbiology Program - Analytical Services
The Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory (OWML) offers a wide-range of sample analyses, media, and other microbiological supplies for USGS Water Science Centers across the nation. Analyses include quantification of standard bacterial indicators and other bacteria in water or sediment, and quantification or detection of coliphage in water. Other analyses can be performed at the OWML, but require...Ohio Microbiology Program - Home
The U.S. Geological Survey MI-OH Water Science Center Microbiology Laboratories in Lansing, Michigan and Columbus, Ohio address water-related public-health concerns across the Nation using traditional and cutting-edge analytical approaches. The laboratories work with government agencies, academic institution, and regional and local partners to study the processes and anthropogenic influences that...Microbiological Monitoring Of Groundwater Used As A Source Of Drinking Water (NAWQA Cycle 3)
The National Water Quality Assessment Program (NAWQA) has been sampling public supply wells and domestic wells across the U.S. since 2013 for a broad suite of microbiological indicators including total coliform s , E. coli, enterococci, F-specific coliphage , somatic coliphage, and aerobic endospores. USGS scientists in Ohio and Massachusetts are collaborating on the analysis of microbiological...Evaluation Of Rapid Viability-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RV-PCR) For Bacillus Globigii Spores In Water Matrices
Rapid water-quality tests for microorganisms are needed to quickly ensure that water is safe for consumption. This study will test a rapid-viability, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RV-PCR) method for the detection of Bacillus spores. The method will be tested in large-volume drinking water samples that are concentrated by ultrafiltration, as well as in water that has been disinfected with... - Data
Laboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the USGS Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory
This dataset contains data tables of laboratory quality-control data associated with environmental samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The environmental samples were collected across the United States by USGS National Projects and projects in Water Science Centers. These quality-control data can be used tLaboratory quality-control data associated with samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory, 2012-2017
This dataset contains data tables of laboratory quality-control data associated with environmental samples analyzed for microbiological constituents at the Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) during federal fiscal years 2012-2017 (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2017). The environmental samples were collected across the United States by the USGS National W