Raul Gonzalez is an Environmental Scientist at Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) where he runs HRSD’s molecular pathogen program. His focus is on applying state-of-the-art molecular methods to manmade infrastructure and their receiving waters. Since he started at HRSD, Raul has worked on using DNA-based markers in collection systems to identify compromised sewer infrastructure. He has also quantified the effectiveness of various wastewater and drinking water treatment trains based on pathogen removal. Recently he has used quantitative microbial risk assessment to address local water quality issues. He is a native of California where he received his BS in biology at UCLA. After a short stint at Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, he moved to North Carolina to complete his PhD in Environmental Sciences and Engineering from UNC-Chapel Hill.