Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination 2024

Dynamic leader in the field of water technology, has a proven track record of driving innovation and developing cutting-edge solutions. As a Research Program Director at Wetsus and co-founder of AquaBattery, Post has been instrumental in advancing water technology and energy storage solutions.

Post’s creative vision, strategic thinking, and collaborative approach make him an invaluable asset to organizations seeking to make a positive impact on the world of water technology. His expertise and passion for innovation are driving the development of sustainable and sustainable water solutions.

Wang’s research focuses on sustainable technologies, including desalination, resource recovery, wastewater treatment, and clean energy. His extensive research has resulted in numerous publications and authored several books.

With a strong academic background and experience at leading institutions, Wang has held key positions and chaired programs related to environmental science and engineering. His expertise and dedication have made him a prominent figure in the field, driving advancements in sustainable water and environmental practices.

Seasoned entrepreneur and educator, has made significant contributions to the fields of entrepreneurship, venture capital, and corporate innovation. As a veteran of Silicon Valley and a faculty member at the University of California at Berkeley, Engel has played a pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Engel’s expertise spans a wide range, including entrepreneurship education, venture capital investing, and corporate innovation. He has served as a co-founder and General Partner of Monitor Ventures, a venture capital firm focused on early-stage technology ventures, and has served on the boards of numerous successful companies.

Engel’s research and publications focus on innovation processes, global networks, and entrepreneurship. He is a graduate of the Wharton School and the recipient of the NCIIA-Olympus Corporation Lifetime of Educational Innovation Award.

Engel’s extensive experience and knowledge make him a sought-after expert in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation. His contributions to the development of successful ventures and his commitment to education have had a lasting impact on the business world.

Dr. Peng Wang, a renowned scholar, has made significant contributions to water and environmental science. Currently serving as Chair Professor and Executive Editor, Wang has been recognized for his exceptional work, receiving prestigious awards and fellowships.

Wang’s research focuses on sustainable technologies, including desalination, resource recovery, wastewater treatment, and clean energy. His extensive research has resulted in numerous publications and authored several books.

With a strong academic background and experience at leading institutions, Wang has held key positions and chaired programs related to environmental science and engineering. His expertise and dedication have made him a prominent figure in the field, driving advancements in sustainable water and environmental practices.

He is managing two different sectors at Saline Water Conversion Corporation as the Executive Director of DTRI and a General Manger of Local Competencies Projects in TAP sector, where he focuses on research innovation, development, engineering, procurement, and execution of projects for the desalination industry aligning with the vision and goals of 2030 through SWCC’s capabilities. During the Pandemic (COVID-19) through innovative solutions one of the projects achieved a world Guinness record “Lowest Energy Consumption in the world for water desalination plant 2.271 KWh per meter cubic“. Tariq holds a PMP, certificate Harvard business school, and many other related professional certificates and a bachelor of chemical engineering from Washington State University USA

He has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from King Khalid University and a master’s degree in materials science and engineering from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and experience of more than 14 years at the Water Technologies Innovation Institute & Research Advancement (WTIIRA) worked on several projects related to corrosion and desalination materials as a corrosion engineer.

He was a Senior Corrosion Engineer and then a Corrosion Research Assistant and Director of the Central Laboratories at the WTIIRA through which he worked on advanced systems to support national and international laboratories and accreditations to achieve the highest quality standards.

He currently holds the functions of the Executive Director at the Institute. He participated in different conferences as speaker and delegates.

Bio is coming soon.

Dr. Amy is an expert in drinking water treatment and wastewater reclamation with a focus on membrane technologies, selective adsorption, and natural systems.

His recent research emphasizes energy-efficient desalination, energy-harvesting wastewater treatment, and wastewater reuse through managed aquifer recharge.

Over a 35-year career, he has published nearly 400 articles and supervised 50 PhD students.

Dr. Amy is affiliated with leading water associations and serves on editorial boards. He has received awards for his publications and mentoring and has held prestigious international academic appointments, including a Fulbright Award in Germany.

Rahul Raveendran Nair is a Professor of Materials Physics and a Royal Society University Research Fellow, specializing in two-dimensional (2D) crystals and their applications.

His research focuses on molecular properties at extreme confinement, functionalizing 2D materials, and developing 2D-based membranes for water filtration, gas separation, and fuel cells.

He has received several awards, including the Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship, the Young Scientist Award (2014), and the Moseley Medal (2015). In 2016, Thomson Reuters recognized him as a Highly Cited Researcher.

Prof. Asit K. Biswas is a globally recognized expert on water, environment, and development, with a distinguished career spanning academia, government advisory roles, and international organizations.

He has advised leaders in 23 countries, held key positions with the UN and OECD, and co-founded major water organizations. His accolades include the Stockholm Water Prize, seven honorary doctorates, and over 500 published works.

He established Water Management International in Singapore, focusing on water policy advice and executive education for governments and organizations.

He also founded and led the International Journal of Water Resources Development for 29 years.

Professor Budimir Rosic is a recognized expert in turbomachinery. Before joining Oxford, he was a senior research fellow and engineering lecturer at the University of Cambridge, sponsored by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Belgrade, where he also conducted research in steam turbines and power plant performance.

At Cambridge’s Whittle Laboratory, he completed his Ph.D. in collaboration with Siemens, studying turbine aerodynamics.

Rosic has received multiple awards from ASME, including the prestigious Gas Turbine Award in 2006 and 2011.

Dr. Eydhah Almatrafi is the General Manager of National and Priority Missions at the Research and Development Innovation Agency (RDIA).

A mechanical engineer with a Bachelor’s degree from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals and a Master’s from George Washington University, Dr. Almatrafi specializes in sustainable desalination technologies.

His research focuses on designing and optimizing desalination systems that utilize low-grade heat sources.

He has made significant contributions to water management initiatives in the Gulf Cooperation Council region.

Prof. Mauter is the director of the Water and Energy Efficiency for the Environment Lab (WE3Lab), dedicated to advancing sustainable water supply solutions in a carbon-constrained world.

Her research focuses on innovating water treatment technologies, optimizing water management practices, and redesigning water policies.

Current initiatives include developing Automated, Precise, Robust, Intensified, Modular, and Electrified (A-PRIME) desalination technologies to promote a circular water economy and addressing the water constraints related to deep decarbonization by quantifying the water requirements of energy systems and creating new methods for high-salinity brine treatment
Prof. Mauter’s recent work also involves identifying technologies and treatment network designs to comply with Effluent Limitation Guidelines for steam electric power generation facilities, evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of desalination for agricultural use, and managing saline brines from unconventional resource extraction and geological carbon sequestration.

Her efforts contribute significantly to the development of effective policies and practices for sustainable water management.

Jean-Michel Hugo is a renowned expert in thermal systems and the founder and President of TEMISTh. With a PhD in energy mechanics, Dr. Hugo specializes in optimizing heat exchanger design through innovative materials and additive manufacturing techniques.

His research has significantly contributed to enhancing the efficiency and performance of thermal systems across various industries, particularly aerospace and energy.

Before founding TEMISTh, Dr. Hugo was a researcher at the IUSTI laboratory. His company’s mission is to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research and practical applications in thermal engineering.

Dr. Hugo’s expertise and leadership have made TEMISTh a leading force in the field.

Prof. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail is a Professor at Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering.

His research interest are in development of polymeric, inorganic and novel mixed matrix membranes for water desalination, waste water treatment, gas separation processes, membrane for palm oil refining, photocatalytic membrane for removal of emerging contaminants, development of haemodialysis membrane and polymer electrolyte membrane for fuel cell applications.

Appointed as the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia starting from Jan 1st, 2021.

Ramy is a specialist in solving scientific challenges at the interface of thermal-fluid, material and energy sciences, trying to address energy-water-environment nexus in an integrated and proactive way.

So, his research interests including but not limited to adsorption systems-based cooling, heating, desalination, energy storage or dehumidification, heat exchangers, ejector heat pumps, thermal management, oscillating heat pipes, HVAC&R, non-vapor compression cycles, separate sensible and latent systems, thermal desalination plants, and multi-generation cycles.

During his research life that spans more than 10 years, Ramy has published more than 55 international journal papers, many conference papers, and one book. He has been listed among the 2% Top Scientsits published by Stanford University in 2022 and 2023.

Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, where he has been a faculty member since 1986. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1979, followed by an M.S. in 1981 and a Sc.D. in 1985 from MIT. As Co-Director of the Center for Clean Water and Clean Energy at MIT and KFUPM, and Director of the Mechatronics Research Laboratory at MIT, he is actively engaged in advancing research and education in engineering.

Youcef-Toumi’s research interests encompass design, modeling, simulation, instrumentation, and automatic control systems, with applications in manufacturing, robotics, automation, metrology, and nano/biotechnology.

He has served on numerous scientific and technical committees globally and has consulted for various companies and government agencies.

Passionate about enhancing education, he focuses on curriculum development, hands-on student experiences, innovation and entrepreneurship, and fostering partnerships to establish leadership in key areas.”