About
Chuck Gerba

Chuck Gerba, aka Dr. Germ, is a microbiology professor at the University of Arizona who has gained renown for his ongoing study of the messy things many would rather not think about. Who better to help us validate that we can bring travelers a cleaner, safer and healthier experience - The Thomsen Way!

Charles P. Gerba

  • Professor, Environmental Science
  • Professor, Microbiology, and Immunology
  • Professor, Nutritional Sciences
  • Professor, Public Health
  • Professor, Agricultural-Biosystems Engineering
  • Member of the Graduate Faculty

Degrees

  • Ph.D. Microbiology
    The University of Miami, Miami, Florida
    The effect of particulate matte on the survival of a virus in seawater

Awards

  • top 10% of cited and viewed articles in PLOS ONE
    • PLOS, Summer 2018
  • Selected as one of the 25 most influential people in the water industry by Water Technology Magazine
    • Water Technology Magazine, Spring 2016
  • Distinguished Service Award
    • U. S. Food and Drug Administration Committee on Food Safety, Summer 2014
  • Listed in Who’s Who in America
    • Marquis Publications, Fall 2013

Interests

Research

Pollution Science; environmental fate and transport of pathogens in the environment; quantitative microbial risk assessment; assessment and development of new disinfectants; fate and transport of pathogens in the subsurface.

Teaching

Pollution Science; environmental fate and transport of pathogens in the environment; quantitative microbial risk assessment

We have found food, E. coli, urine, mucus, feces, and blood on escalator handrails in our testing. And where there is mucus, you may also find cold and flu viruses.