Doris van Halem

Doris van Halem currently serves as a Full Professor of Drinking Water Quality & Treatment at TU Delft's Department of Water Management, where she has made significant contributions to sustainable water treatment technologies. Her academic journey at TU Delft includes a cum laude MSc in Civil Engineering and Geosciences (2007) and a PhD with honors (2011) focusing on subsurface iron and arsenic removal for drinking water supply in Bangladesh. Her research combines innovative approaches to water treatment, particularly focusing on utilizing natural biological processes instead of expensive chemicals. As Scientific Director of TU Delft Global Drinking Water Programme, she leads initiatives for developing accessible water solutions for the Global South. Her groundbreaking work includes discoveries in virus removal using ceramic pot filters and arsenic removal through delayed aeration techniques. Her achievements have been recognized with prestigious awards including the UNESCO-L'Oréal For Women in Science Fellowship (2015), the Steven Hoogendijk Award for Best PhD Thesis (2011-2012), and the Gijs Oskam Prize. She teaches key courses including Introduction to Water Treatment (CTB3365) and Water Treatment Technologies (ENVM1600), while also contributing to global education through MOOCs on drinking water treatment. Through her research and teaching, she continues to develop innovative, sustainable solutions for global drinking water challenges, particularly focusing on regions with limited resources.