Louis DeFilippi, PhD, Qualifications

Expert in

Biotechnology (Enzyme catalyzed processes), Environmental (bioremediation), Regulatory Compliance (OSHA / EPA)

Biochemistry and biotechnology

Dr. DeFilippi has over 37 years of experience in both basic and applied Biochemistry (biochemical research and enzymology) and Biotechnology. He is very successful in finding flaws in published and spoken materials. His strengths are in the fields of physical biochemistry, protein biochemistry, protein characterization, protein modification, protein stabilization, enzymology and protein structure. He has successfully applied continuous processes using immobilized enzymes and whole cells to effect enzymatic transformations.  He is familiar with many chromatography applications, as he has employed adsorption chromatography, as well as ion exchange and gel permeation chromatography (column and TLC) for small molecule and protein isolation, enzyme purification, and protein / enzyme purification. A protein concentration process, usually via membranes and pressure filtration, followed the purifications. He has experience with both mammalian (red blood cell, heart, liver) and microbial systems.  Some enzymes that he purified and studied were hemoglobin, methemoglobin, methemoglobin reductase, cytochrome b5 reductase, cytochrome b5, superoxide dismutase, IgG, glutathione reductase, alpha amylase, glucoamylase, and numerous other proteins / enzymes such as cytochrome P-450, oxidative enzymes, oxidoreductase. He is very familiar with HPLC (high-performance liquid chromatography) and associated detectors. The heme prosthetic group of Cytochrome a was isolated from heart cytochrome oxidase and the structure characterized. He is very strong in analytical biochemistry and has experience in managing an analytical biochemistry laboratory where such techniques as UV/Vis spectrophotometry, GC/MS, Ion chromatography and the like were in common usage.  He studied free radical biochemistry and showed its negative effects on various blood proteins and related it to peroxidase (HRP). He has had success in applied enzymology (biochemical process development), especially with immobilized enzymes (isomerase,esterase and lipase [lipid modifying] enzymes). He also has extensive fermentation experience having grown numerous microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and yeasts.  He has studied and applied antimicrobial agents.  

Biological treatment of hazardous waste, wastewater and air

Dr. DeFilippi has over 23 years experience in the environmental, wastewater and air treatment areas, focusing on biological approaches. He is familiar with many areas of wastewater treatment, focusing on industrial wastewater treatment. Examples of experience include, but are not limited to, biological industrial wastewater treatment such as the biological treatment of Manufactured Gas Plant (MGP)-impacted (contaminated) groundwater, fixed film reactors for reduction of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and COD, drinking water organics control using both biological treatment and activated carbon adsorption, anaerobic industrial wastewater digestion, both for sludge reduction and for co-metabolic treatment of halogenated hydrocarbons such as TCE, and nitrated compounds such as TNT and DNT (pink water), drinking water purification, especially nitrification - denitrification and BOD reductions as applied to the Space Station water recycling, in-situ groundwater treatment (toxic substance contaminated water treatment) using biological systems, and wastewater recycling, especially for the semi-conductor industry.  

Regulatory compliance

Dr. DeFilippi has over 16 years experience in the regulatory field, focusing on such areas as chemical process safety engineering.  He has been very successful in representing clients involved in alleged violation of OSHA and EPA regulations.  He has worked with numerous clients to achieve compliance with various regulations, including EPA 112r (Risk Management Planning, RMP), TSCA regulations, especially involving PCBs, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations [especially 29 CFR 1910.119, Process Safety Management (PSM) and other areas such as 29 CFR 1910.146 and 29 CFR 1910.1030, confined space safety, etc].  He also has significant experience in food safety, especially HACCP and Sanitation SOPs. Much of his work has involved the food and beverage areas, especially involving ammonia refrigeration, and the chemical areas.