Cloelle Danforth
Scientist
Work
Cloelle Danforth is a Scientist for the Office of the Chief Scientist and is based out of Boulder, CO. Cloelle’s research has centered around reducing impacts to human health and the environment from oil and gas development, with a particular focus on characterizing the chemical and toxicological characteristics of wastewater, and understanding contaminant fate and transport. She also supports EDF’s legislative and regulatory work related to the Toxics Substances Control Act. Cloelle received her Ph.D. and M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. Prior to earning her advanced degrees, Cloelle completed a B.S. in Engineering Science from Smith College with the inaugural class of the first, all-women’s college in the United States to have an ABET-accredited program.
Background
Cloelle Danforth’s research has largely focused at the intersection of microbiology and environmental engineering; meaning, she considers the role of microorganisms to meet a variety of environmental challenges and needs – primarily in the context of water and wastewater. Her work includes investigating a bacterium for bioremediation of a common groundwater contaminant, and exploring reactor designs for microorganisms that are able to use electricity directly to produce fuel or fuel feedstock. This process is essentially synthetic photosynthesis and could someday be used to store intermittent energy (solar) in a form that can be used at need (liquid fuel). Cloelle also spent two years working as a consulting engineer performing environmental investigations and remediation.
Education
- M.S./Ph.D., Civil & Environmental Engineering, Cornell University
- B.S., Engineering Science, Smith College
Latest pieces
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Two chemicals that remind us why we should exercise caution with the oil industry’s wastewater
October 14, 2020
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Shining new light on the toxicity of chemicals in produced water
November 13, 2019
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Could wastewater from oil and gas production help solve our water crisis? Not without better science
March 15, 2018
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New study reveals gaps in the methods used to assess chemicals in oilfield wastewater
August 28, 2017
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What We Know – And Don’t Know – About Toxic Wastewater From The Oil And Gas Industry
June 21, 2016
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What we know – and don't know – about toxic wastewater from the oil and gas industry
June 21, 2016