Monash University Archives - Water Research Australia

PhD scholarship opportunity

Kathryn Nicholas — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 06:13:38 +0000

Water Research Australia is seeking a candidate to undertake a PhD project at Monash University, Melbourne.

If you have an interest in machine learning approaches for quantifying and identifying microorganisms in water and wastewater treatment then click here to read more.

The scholarship package will provide you with professional development benefits such as connections and experience with industry, academia and Water Research Australia members.

Potential candidates must meet the Monash University enrolment criteria. International students must apply before 31 March 2023. Open to Domestic students until the position is filled.

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Next Water 2023 second exciting keynote announced!

Kathryn Nicholas — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 00:42:01 +0000

Water Research Australia is excited to announce Prof John Thwaites will be presenting at Next Water 2023.

A global expert on developing policies to address sustainable development, water and climate change, John brings together researchers, industry and government organisations to set goals, accelerate action and find solutions.

John is a Professorial Fellow at Monash University, and Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group on the Circular Economy.

John features in our recently-released preliminary program along with globally renowned thought leader Fiona Kerr. He will share his insights on the role of water in the circular economy.

Next Water will bring together water industry professionals and academics from across Australia and the world to explore and discuss focussed questions on our overarching theme Water Wisdom to Future Flow, including:

Diversification of water sources
Planning for a resilient water sector
Technology and innovation for treatment and source applications
Emerging challenges for human and environmental health
And more…

This event is supported by sponsors Global Water Institute at UNSW, Veolia and Melbourne Water. Registration is limited to just over 200 participants, to ensure the event is highly interactive, with a strong focus on producing results from each session.

Over the coming months, we will release more exciting keynote speakers and workshops. We hope you find something that interests you in the program and that you join us for Water Wisdom to Future Flow in February 2023. You can register here and enjoy early bird rates until December 31st.

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Funding secured for Project 1136

Mark Andersson — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 00:13:40 +0000

We are pleased to announce Water Research Australia Project 1136 Application of sustainable hydrogen economy based AOP for removal of emerging contaminants has secured funding through an ARC Linkage grant.

The project, part of our Whole Water program of research, will be working closely with national water utility companies South East Water, Melbourne Water, Yarra Valley Water and Water Corporation, through WaterRA.

Researchers, Professor Xiwang Zhang (Chemical Engineering Professor and Director of the ARC Research Hub for Energy-efficient Separation), Professor Huanting Wang and Dr Yinlong Zhu (Department of Chemical Engineering, Monash University) will be delivering the project.

To find out more visit the project page.

Further news coverage regarding this project is available from the links below:

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WBE methods continue to adapt to the changing landscape of the fight

Kathryn Nicholas — Mon, 21 Mar 2022 04:18:48 +0000

Water Research Australia’s BIG Team members continue to meet monthly in a Wastewater-based Epidemiology Community of Practice for the ongoing development of sewage surveillance methods for the early detection of SARS-CoV-2 trends in wastewater.

Each month, WaterRA brings together experts from each of the state health departments in Australia and New Zealand meet to share their most recent experiences in the ongoing response to the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic. From initial sampling and analysis method development in mid-2020, Australian and New Zealand scientists and water utility operators work hand in hand with health authorities to gather, process, and interpret relevant and prescient data to inform the health response to emerging outbreaks, including new variants.

This month, Dr. Monica Nolan of the Victorian Department of Health presented to the group on what this wastewater surveillance looks like in 2022 and the innovative work on variants and quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater that is currently being undertaken in conjunction with Aaron Jex’s team at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) and David McCarthy’s team at Monash University. One example of an important contribution that the Victorian team has made is the mapping of the prevalence of the Delta variant, Omicron BA.1, and BA.2 sub-variants across metro Melbourne.

Similar work is being undertaken in other laboratories and by health departments across Australia and New Zealand, as well as improving ways to present the data trends on public-facing websites, and shifting the focus of wastewater surveillance to targeted areas such as food processing and rural or vulnerable communities.

WaterRA and its members have also been engaged by the Australian Water Association, under a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade-funded project, to transfer these Australian skills to countries in the Mekong region as well as Fiji in 2021 and 2022, resulting in valuable cross-cultural knowledge exchange and collaboration.

The will continue to meet to share, exchange knowledge, and subsequently adapt local practices and responses. These teams and their skills will play an important role in Australia’s ongoing local responses to COVID-19 with the opening of our domestic and international borders, and assist our closest neighbours in their national responses as well. WaterRA will continue to support members in these collaborations.

Image sourced 9 Mar 2022: https://nextstrain.org/ncov/gisaid/global

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