With the ongoing challenges associated with large-scale testing for COVID-19—including test kit shortages, stringent testing criteria and the inherent limitations of current tracking systems on mildly symptomatic and asymptomatic populations, scientists are looking for alternate methods to boost testing in order to predict the spread of the disease. Crystal Hepp, an assistant professor in NAU’s School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems (SICCS), is testing wastewater in northern Arizona communities to help determine the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Because the virus is shed in human waste, she believes sewage is a viable avenue for its detection. Read more.