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For Better or For Worse
Available Spotlights
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(March, 2004) For all of the important jobs that they accomplish, "bugs" get a raw deal more often than not-and often for good reason. Whether they are causing common colds, influenza, athlete's foot or diaper rash-or attending to such tremendous jobs as decomposition of organic matter, or bread and cheesemaking, these constant neighbors rarely get from us a kind or second thought. Bacteria, viruses, yeasts and fungi, and protozoa, all are what scientists have put into the category known as microbes, and that lay persons know as "bugs." Microbiology is the scientific discipline devoted to these organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. Not surprisingly, because they are so versatile, prolific and hardworking, these minuscule, unseen wonders raise continual challenges for the Microbiologists fascinated by-and dedicated to-their study.
Back in 1979, Dr. Eugene Rice, began his Federal government research career in Cincinnati, Ohio, with the Microbiological Treatment Branch, and Microbial Contaminants Control Branch, of the National Risk Management Research Laboratory's Drinking Water Research, and Water Supply and Water Resources divisions. His keen interest in history, as we will see later, makes him value the research legacy of such scientists as Chester T. Butterfield, and microbiologists John C. Hoff and Edwin E. Geldreich. In fact, Rice has hung a picture of Butterfield permanently outside his office; and he was hired by Hoff and Geldreich when he signed on with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Butterfield (the name behind Butterfield's Buffer), Hoff (whose early research on chlorination benefits us even today), and Geldreich (a pioneer in drinking water microbiology)-each represents for Rice an important motivator of his current research. In 2002, Dr. Rice became a member of the NRMRL's National Homeland Security Research Center.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Kentucky's Georgetown College, and his Master of Science degree in Microbiology and Parasitology at Ohio University. His Doctorate in Environmental Science was earned at the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Rice explains that he has been motivated primarily by individuals, rather that by ideas or events, at different stages of his life to choose a science career. He recollects from his high school years an excellent chemistry teacher, a professor of bacteriology in undergraduate school, and a professor of pathogenic bacteriology in graduate school. He drew motivation from these individuals because of their abilities to convey an innate passion for the search for knowledge-their palpable fascination with science as an ever unfolding conquest.
As his first experiment, not having a chemistry set, he describes how in his mother's kitchen he added iodine to corn starch to observe the classic color change of the starch to purple. He explains this saying that he ". . .always was interested in unsupervised tinkering." He describes a later decision-made as an undergraduate-to study bacteriology and parasitology as opposed to following the more traditional biology major route with its traditional concentration on such studies as vertebrate anatomy and embryology. He feels this decision was instrumental in setting his future scientific career path. While he was in college, Dr. Rice's first science job was in a private hospital where he worked as a Laboratory Technician. Now, his work is a bit more consequential. He is involved in the forefront of the detection and inactivation of waterborne pathogens and bioterrorist agents; and he is the Principal Investigator and Chief of NHSRC's Special Pathogens Analysis Laboratory. In light of new restrictions on the study and transfer of such "select" organisms-or agents-as anthrax or small pox, last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention certified the Laboratory. There is no question that this represents quite a change from creating purple starch. He says the best piece of advice he ever received was not to compare himself to others; but to work to the best of his abilities. He seems to have followed that good counsel.
With professional activities and affiliations rooted in the microbiological sciences, Eugene Rice is an active contributor to the advancement of this important environmental and human health science. He is on the editorial advisory boards of Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater and Applied and Environmental Microbiology, and is a member of the American Public Health Association's Committee on Laboratory Standards and Practices. With his background and professional experiences, it is not surprising that when asked where and when he would most liked to have lived or worked he chooses what he calls ". . .the early glory days of the recognition of the germ theory of disease." That would be turn of the century England with the likes of Joseph Lister (1827-1912) and John Snow (1813-1858). Lister, you will remember, for many years explored the causes and mechanisms of the inflammation of wounds. His observations led him to believe infection was not due to bad air alone but was a form of germ-mediated decomposition. Snow, a celebrated epidemiologist, formulated an hypothesis about the cause and transmission (that is, the etiology) of cholera-and tested that theory in an elegantly natural experiment. He convinced the Board of Guardians of London's St James's parish to remove the handle of the Broad Street drinking water pump. Gene Rice is a member of the John Snow Society. Not surprisingly, the book he believes has most influenced his scientific career is Microbe Hunters, by Paul de Kruif. That book details the work and challenges of such early microbiologists as Leeuwenhoek, Pasteur, Koch, and Reed.
While much of his research work can be viewed as being mostly applied (that is, fulfilling a stated need or purpose), Eugene Rice believes that it represents investigative work that, in deed, is creative. That creativity comes into play he says when he refers back to and gathers fundamental, clinical information and is able-through the lens of applied research-to demonstrate likely implications for the environment or human health. He gives as a good example of this the increasing emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms.
Rice says that he to decided to work at an Environmental Protection Agency National Laboratory due to the opportunity to do applied research on both bacteria and protozoa, in particular, as it relates to protecting the public health. Also, he says the proximity of the National Risk Management Research Laboratory in Cincinnati-his home town-was a strong selling point. When posed with a question critical to the career of any researcher (What keeps you working at an EPA National Laboratory?), he says this: "There has never been a day that I have not wanted to come to work. There are always new challenges confronting environmental concerns and public health issues. Being a member of the EPA allows me as a scientist to always be in the forefront of the most pressing concerns in these areas. I have been able to conduct research on most every major waterborne disease causing bacterium and protozoan." In late January 2004 at the Fourth National Conference on Science, Policy and the Environment: Water for a Sustainable and Secure Future, Dr. Rice was invited to co-Chair a session on "Technologies for Water Monitoring and Homeland Security" with Janet Jensen of the U.S. Army Soldier and Biological Chemical Command. The session was based on recognition that secure water sources are critical components of a secure homeland. The session discussed methods for protecting and monitoring water supplies. Issues discussed included: Which parts of the water supply are most vulnerable to terrorism; What needs to be done to implement strategies to enhance physical security of water supplies; What monitoring strategies are available to detect harmful introduced substances; and, How can water monitoring for homeland security be integrated with other water monitoring objectives and also serve the needs of science?
With all of his focused attention on "select" agents, you might ask what "select" avocation might distract, challenge and intrigue a modern microbiologist in his leisure time. Gardening, especially the propagation of heirloom varieties of vegetables, fits the bill for Gene Rice. He explains that heirloom vegetables are those varieties that come from seed stock that has been saved, maintained and cultivated for periods of 50 years or more by dedicated communities of gardeners. Gene Rice demonstrates the well rounded interests that help to make a dedicated research scientist. He has been able to apply his traditional and classic training in microbiology quickly to the challenges posed by the need for modern day assessment of many new potential harms of microorganisms.
The Office of Research and Development is committed to showing the difference the important work its scientists and engineers are making in peoples lives. We welcome your reaction to-and any comments on-this "Spotlight" feature article; please send them to draggan.sidney@epa.gov.