Find out what our researchers got up to in 2024: conference presentations, workshops, and more

Siqi Xu wins a prize for her poster at the European Biosolids & Bioresources Conference & Exhibition 2024

Siqi stands to the left of Paul Fountain, they are both smiling at the camera holding a large framed certificate. Siqi is wearing a cream top and a grey skirt. The man is wearing black.
Siqi being presented her prize by Paul Fountain, Thames Water

Siqi Xu (Cohort III) won the Student & Early Career Professionals' Poster Competition at the European Biosolids & Bioresources Conference & Exhbition in November 2024. Siqi's Poster was titled ' Feasibility of pyrolysis using different sludges' and was presented by Paul Fountain of Thames water.

WIRe PhD students attend the Anglian Water Student Summit

In November 2024, several WIRe researchers went to the Anglian Water Student Summit. The students had the opportunity to present their research:

Raman Suri (Cohort IV): Ceramic nanofiltration for more resilient drinking water production.

Samuel Nyarko (Cohort III): The role of organic matter on water treatability to secure drinking water supplies.

Mark Powders (Cohort III): Ammonia to energy as a key decarbonisation strategy for the water sector.

Blessing Mobalaji (Cohort IV): Nitrous oxide management in a membrane aerated bioreactor.

8 people stand in a row smiling at the camera. They are indoors in a corporate setting wearing smart casual clothing.
WIRe PhD researchers with other students at the summit. Back row from left to right: Raman Suri, Mark Powders, Samuel Nyarko Yeboah, and Eric Cowan. Front row from left to right: Blessing Mobolaji, Nasreen Nasar, Ayisha Affo Souleymane, and Priya Dharwadkar.

WIRe researchers attend the UKWIR 5th Annual Conference

André Araujo Frota, Anne Kamau (both Cohort IV), and Polly Grundy (Cohort III) travelled to London to attend the UKWIR 5th Annual Conference in October 2024, presenting their work with posters. A great opportunity to showcase their research and engage with industry professionals. It’s always inspiring to see our students actively participating in discussions that aim to improve connectivity and drive positive change in the water industry

From left to right: Polly, Anne and André

 Anne Kamau and Polly Grundy take part in the Disinfection and Disinfection By-Products Conference 2024 (DDBP24)

Anne Kamau (Cohort IV) and Polly Grundy (Cohort III) travelled to Almeria, Spain in October 2024 to attend the Disinfection and Disinfection By-Products Conference 2024 (DDBP24). Polly presented her research on Brominated DBPs, while Anne presented about Nitrogenous DBPs. They also learned about solar disinfection, which is particularly relevant given Almeria’s sunny climate.

A conference lecture theatre full of people sat watching a scientific presentation.
Polly presenting
Anne exploring Almeria's water infrastructure
Two women wearing business attire stand either side of a pull-up banner smiling at the camera. the banner is advertising the DDBP24 conference
Anne and Polly

WIRe researchers attend the IWA World Water Congress & Exhibition 2024

Six CDT WIRe researchers, Polly Grundy, Ravina Bains, Edward John, Matthew MacRorie, Ali Leonard and Anna Laino participated in the recently held IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition in Toronto. Matthew and Edward presented on their PhD research at the conference while Polly, Ali and Ravina had poster presentations. Polly won the best poster prize in the drinking water theme! 

Edward, Matthew, Polly and Ali stand smiling at the camera in front of an IWA World Water Congress and Exhibition 2024 banner
From left to right: Edward, Matthew, Polly and Ali
Polly stands next to her scientific conference poster
Polly with her poster
Several people stand on a stage holding certificates
Polly winning the poster prize
A large room of people in chairs facing a big screen announcing best poster awards
The poster prize announcement

 

Polly Grundy attends a Royal Society of Chemistry One Day Meeting

Polly Grundy from Cohort III attended a one day meeting held by the Royal Society of Chemistry on ‘How to deal with the issues of emerging contaminants of concern in the aquatic environment’. The meeting focused on industry perspective, regulatory issues and the monitoring of these emerging contaminants. It included presentations from experts in the field on the different types of contaminants such as pharmaceuticals and personal care products, antibiotics, veterinary medicines, plant protection products, Per- and Poly-fluorinated Substances (PFAS) and microplastics present in our water bodies.

Left: Polly Grundy presenting in a lecture theatre Right: Polly Grundy takes a selfie in front of a stained glass window
Polly presenting (left) and admiring the stained glass in the Royal Society of Chemistry at Burlington House (right)

 

Philippa Mohan and Kaeli Brazier present at the International Conference on Urban Drainage

Philippa Mohan from Cohort II and Kaeli Brazier from cohort IV presented their research work at the International Conference on Urban Drainage, held from 9-14 June 2024 at Delft University of Technology, Netherlands.

The conference was held in collaboration with the International Water Association and the International Association for Hydraulic Research through the Joint Committee Urban Drainage.

Top: Lydia stands at the front of a lecture theatre delivering a presentation Bottom: Kaeli stands on a stage presenting
Lydia presenting (top) and Kaeli presenting (bottom)

 

Anna Christy attends an input-output modelling course at Leiden University

Anna Christy (Cohort III) from Newcastle University attended an Input-Output modelling course at Leiden University held from 14-19 January 2024. She was also invited to give a seminar on her research for their Industrial Ecology group on 6 March 2024. 

A group of people stand in rows on a wide staircase smiling at the camera
Anna (second row, second from left) with the modelling course team
2026 activities
2025 activities
Earlier activities