About this program:

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Mold and water-damage in homes are more than just nuisances—they’re complex ecological challenges. This session highlights seven years of groundbreaking research using DNA sequence-based fungal ecology to guide mold inspection and remediation. It will explore how microbiome techniques, combined with advanced computational analysis, can distinguish damp/moldy homes from those with no documented damage, regardless of whether or not the fungi is culturable.
 

The session introduces the Mold Classification Tool (MCT), developed and validated across 12 U.S. cities, which provides a practical, scientifically grounded indicator for evaluating the success of mold remediation. You’ll also learn about emerging metrics for assessing bio-residual contamination on surfaces, helping remediation specialists make evidence-based decisions about when environments have returned to a healthy state.

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​Who Should Attend: Mold and remediation specialists, industrial hygienists, environmental health professionals, building scientists, indoor air quality consultants, public health practitioners, and anyone interested in the next generation of mold assessment and remediation techniques.

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What you will learn:
 

• Understand how DNA-based fungal ecology can enhance traditional mold inspection and remediation practices.

• Learn how the Mold Classification Tool (MCT) was developed, calibrated, and validated across multiple U.S. regions.

• Explore new indicators and metrics for assessing bio-residual contamination on surfaces.

• Recognize the role of microbiome approaches in evaluating the ecological success of mold remediation.

• Gain insight into the application of advanced computational analyses for practical, field-based mold assessment.

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About the Presenter:

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Richard Shaughnessy, Ph.D., has served as Director of the University of Tulsa’s Indoor Air Quality Research Program (TUIAP) in the Chemical Engineering Department since 1987. His studies have focused on particulate research, air cleaner evaluation, indoor chemistry, school studies, asthma/housing research, and the resolution and remediation of bioaerosol-related problems. He is experienced in field research in homes and schools, and associated measurements/tools related to the characterization of IAQ and moisture. He is currently furthering research studying associations between IAQ parameters in classrooms and student health/performance and is actively working toward defining a basis for “clean” in schools which applies to both performance and health of students. In addition, he currently is overseeing a HUD grant to define what constitutes “normal” background fungal ecology in homes. He was a primary member of the ACGIH Bioaerosols Committee and contributing author to the 1999 ACGIH book on Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control and contributing author and section editor to the AIHA document on Recognition, Evaluation, and Control of Indoor Mold. He has also served as President of The International Society of Indoor Air Quality and Climate (ISIAQ) and continues to work with the Society to translate science into practice.​

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Program Level: 

Intermediate

Advanced

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Content Area(s): 

New technologies

Investigation and Remediation of Buildings

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