Expert in Composting, Waste Resources & Mortality Management
By: Deepthi
Conference Manager, WARE 2026
11/23/2025
Prof. Robert (Rob) Michitsch is a leading figure in soil and waste resources at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, with deep expertise in compost science, mortality management, and sustainable waste reuse. His work spans both academic research and real-world system interventions, particularly in using composting to address critical environmental and biosecurity challenges.
At UWSP, Prof. Michitsch teaches courses on composting, soil fertility, and integrated waste resources. His research portfolio includes compost microbiology, breakdown of hard-to-degrade plastics (e.g. fluoropolymers), and innovative approaches to disposing of animal carcasses in a way that mitigates disease risk. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point+2University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point+2 He has played a critical role in developing composting protocols to eliminate prions that cause chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wildlife, offering a safe, scalable alternative to conventional disposal. Universities of Wisconsin
Michitsch is also recognized nationally: during avian influenza (H5N1) outbreaks, USDA called upon him to help compost infected bird carcasses in high-temperature composting systems to ensure viral inactivation. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point+1 In addition, his work has informed state policy: his research on septage (onsite wastewater) led to funding from Wisconsin’s DSPS agency to reassess nutrient and heavy-metal standards, helping align disposal practices with current environmental data. WisPolitics
At WARE-2026, Prof. Michitsch will present on “Composting for Risk Reduction: From Plastic Degradation to Disease-Safe Mortality Management”, highlighting how compost science can be leveraged for circular economy solutions, biosecurity, and sustainable waste handling.