Main Research Subjects
- Semicentralized infrastructure systems for fast-growing urban areas
- Water reuse
- Phosphorus recovery
- Energy and water
- Treatment of industrial wastewater
- Biofilm processes / Biofilter
- Disinfection of treated wastewater
- Scientific exchange with universities in China
- Tongji University (since 1995) and Qingdao Technological University (since 2003)
Awards and Honors
- Appointment as Member of International Advisory Committee of „International Science & Technology Cooperation Center for Urban Alternative Water Resources Development“ Xi’an, China (2016)
- Conferment of the title of Advisory Professor by Tongji University (2015)
- Willy-Hager-Medaille (2013)
- Tongji Special Award for International Cooperation (2011)
- Appointment as Senior Consultant of the Ningxia Design and Research Institute of Environmental Science, P.R. China (2005 and 2006)
- Honorary Professor of the Qingdao Technological University, P.R. China, since 2005
Further Professional Activities
- Member of the scientific and advisory board:
- CUTEC-Institut GmbH, Clausthal-Zellerfeld (2003 -2008)
- Fritz und Margot Faudi Stiftung, Darmstadt
- IWW Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wasserforschung, Mülheim Ruhr (2008 – 2013)
- Willy-Hager-Stiftung, Stuttgart (panel of experts)
- Administrative Board at Bilfinger Berger Facility Services (2011 – 2014)
- Joint Advisory Committee of the German Israeli Water Technology Cooperation (2006 – 2008)
- External Examiner of the School of Water Science, Cranfield University, UK (2004-2007)
- Reviewer of research proposals:
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)
- Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF, German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, project management water)
- Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU, Federal Foundation for the Environment)
- BWPlus (Baden-Württemberg)
- U.S.-Israel Binational Science Foundation
- German-Israeli Foundation for Scientific Research and Development (GIF)
- Technology Foundation STW, Utrecht (NL)
- Member of editorial boards of scientific journals:
- Environmental Technology, London
- International Journal of Environment and Waste Management (IJEWM)
- Journal of Water Sustainability (JWS)
- Desalination
- Reviewer for scientific journals:
- Water Research, IWA,UK
- Water Science and Technology, IWA, UK
- Environmental Science & Technology, USA
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Elsevier, USA
- Process Biochemistry, Elsevier, USA
- Journal of Environmental Engineering (JEE)
- Journal of Water Supply: Research and Technology – Aqua
- Chemosphere, Elsevier, USA
- ASCE Practice Periodical of Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Waste Management, India
- Acta Hydrochimica et Hydrobiologica, Wiley, Weinheim
Boards / Committees / Memberships (alphabetical excerpt)
- DEX, Deutscher Expertenrat für Umwelttechnologie und Infrastruktur e.V., Grafing
- DWA Deutsche Vereinigung für Wasserwirtschaft, Abwasser und Abfall e.V.
- Hauptausschuss BIZ „Bildung und Internationale Zusammenarbeit“
- Fachausschuss BIZ 6 „Ausbildung von Führungskräften“
- Fachausschuss BIZ 7 „Fortbildung von Führungskräften“
- Fachausschuss BIZ 11 „Internationale Zusammenarbeit”
- Arbeitsgruppe BIZ 11.3 „Bemessung von Kläranlagen in warmen und kalten Klimazonen“, Stellvertretender Sprecher
- Arbeitsgruppe BIZ 11.4 „Wasserwiederverwendung”, (2009 – 2014)
- Hauptausschuss IG „Industrieabwässer und anlagenbezogener Gewässerschutz“ Stellvertretender Vorsitzender
- Fachausschuss IG 5 „Spezielle Verfahren zur Behandlung von Industrieabwässern“ Obmann
- Arbeitsgruppe IG 5-5 „Membrantechnik“, Sprecher
- Arbeitsgruppe IG 5-6 „Biofilmverfahren“, Stellvertretender Sprecher
- Arbeitsgruppe AK 1.1 „Phosphorrückgewinnung“
- German Water Partnership
- Stellvertretender Vorstandsvorsitzender
- Leiter der Plattform Innovation und Wissenschaftskooperation
- International Water Association, IWA
- Specialist Group on Water Reuse, Member of the Scientific and Advisory Committee
- IWA Cities of the Future program, Member of steering committee
- IWA Resource Recovery from Water Cluster, Vice-Chair
Publications and Conference Lectures
- More than 200 publications in books, scientific journals and conference proceedings
- ca. 200 conference lectures since 2002