News

One of the reasons that we changed our centre name from the Advanced Water Management Centre to the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology is the rapid changes occurring in both water, and the world energy and manufacturing areas. We recognise the ongoing and crucial aspects of water, with 40% of the world population not having safe access to water or sanitation. Water scarcity is likely to increase as population grows, and climate change increasingly impacts on safe water supplies.

A University of Queensland research project will investigate a biofilm-based solution for drinking water treatment.
Approximately 90% of the drinking water in Australia is sourced from surface water bodies, which are naturally rich in organic matter and nutrients

University of Queensland researchers have found a range of commonly prescribed antidepressants can increase bacteria’s resistance to antibiotic medications.

ACWEB has seen a number of significant milestones in the last year.

Microplastics are not just tiny particles that can be ingested, they can also carry viruses, a University of Queensland study has revealed.

A propane eating microbe has been discovered – and University of Queensland researchers say it could play a critical role in global climate change and air pollution control.

A collaborative project using University of Queensland research into a low-cost solution for wastewater treatment has won a coveted industry research award.

A University of Queensland PhD project investigating methods to combat antibiotic resistance has won a prestigious industry award.
The 2022 QLD Student Water Prize, presented at the annual Australian Water Association Queensland Gala Dinner and Awards Night, was awarded to recent PhD graduate Zhigang Yu for his work Novel Disinfection to Combat Antibiotic Resistance.

After 25 years of exceptional service to The University of Queensland, Professor Zhiguo Yuan AM has advised his intentions to retire in the coming weeks. 

The University of Queensland and Urban Utilities have signed a five-year strategic alliance agreement to establish a sustainable industry research delivery platform.

ACWEB and UQ are pleased to announce that the 2023 IWA Microbial Ecology and Water Engineering specialist conference will be held in Brisbane.

As I am writing this report, Southeast Queensland and parts of New South Wales are experiencing devastating floods. Lives have been lost, properties damaged, and the economic loss are mounting to the billions. My sympathies go to those who have been badly impacted by the flooding, including many of our staff and students.

A UQ research paper investigating artificial sweeteners effect on antibiotic resistance has won the ISME Journal 2021 Best Paper award.

Congratulations to Dr Zhiyao Wang from the Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology for taking out Water 2021 Best PhD Thesis Award. Dr Wang's highly anticipated thesis "Innovative nitrogen conversion to enhance wastewater and sludge management" will be published in the Water Journal.

I would like to acknowledge and thank our researchers and partners for their significant investment of time and energy this year in applying for new funding. Despite a changing funding landscape and business uncertainties, we have worked together to develop robust proposals based on innovative science and strong collaborations. I am looking forward to exciting outcomes in 2022.

We sat down to have a chat with one of our new Post-Doctoral Research Fellows - Dr Zhiyao Wang.

The award is named after Ardern and Lockett in recognition of the MEWE Specialist Group’s strong link to the activated sludge processes, and investigations into the microbial populations dynamics of these systems.

The IWES 2021 program met with a few ups and downs thanks to border closures and travel restrictions - originally scheduled to be held at the Gold Coast for mid-July, it was rescheduled to September as an online event.

University of Queensland research contributing to sustainable municipal wastewater treatment has won a prestigious industry award.

University of Queensland projects investigating net-zero emissions in wastewater and contributing to sustainable wastewater treatment have won prestigious industry awards.