Maite Pijuan, a researcher at the Catalan Institute for Water Research, has been awarded the prestigious IWA Fellow award by the International Water Association (IWA). This award not only highlights her exceptional contribution to water science, but also positions her as one of the most relevant figures in the field worldwide.

Being named an IWA Fellow is an honor reserved for a very small group of professionals who have made unparalleled contributions to research, technological development and water management policies. The selection process is rigorous: you must have the support of three renowned international experts and pass a thorough evaluation by a panel of experts. This recognition is awarded only every two years and places the selected ones in a global elite, where leadership and innovation are essential.

Dr. Pijuan has been selected for this distinction thanks to her outstanding research career, her commitment to the international scientific community and her active role in the organization of events and publications of worldwide relevance. Among her most notable achievements are the organization of the International Congress on Ecotechnologies for Water Treatment organized in Girona in 2023 ( https://www.ecostp2023.org/ ), which brought together more than 500 experts from 50 countries, or her work as editor of the prestigious scientific journal Water Research ( https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/water-research ), one of the most influential and respected in the field of water.

This recognition not only values ​​Dr. Pijuan’s scientific career, but also her commitment to knowledge transfer and her ability to foster collaboration between researchers and water professionals from different countries. Dr. Pijuan becomes the fourth Spanish woman to receive this prestigious recognition since its creation in 2010, a fact that underlines the excellence of its research career.

Dr. Pijuan joined the Catalan Institute for Water Research in 2010 thanks to a Ramón y Cajal contract. Since then, he has been able to develop his research with complete freedom, with the support and infrastructure necessary to carry out research and transfer projects.

“I am very grateful to ICRA-CERCA for providing me with such a dynamic and innovative research environment. This recognition is not only a reflection of my work, but also of the support and opportunities I have had throughout my career to develop leading-edge projects in research and knowledge transfer. Without the commitment and resources that ICRA-CERCA has offered me, this achievement would not have been possible.”

The award ceremony for this distinction took place during the IWA World Water Congress held in Toronto from August 11 to 16, which was attended by more than 6,000 professionals from the sector.

About the International Water Association (IWA)

IWA is an independent non-governmental organization connecting a global community of water professionals. Its mission is to promote research, innovation and collaboration in the field of water to address global challenges related to this vital resource. It has thousands of professionals from all over the world. These members include researchers, engineers, water professionals, students, and governmental and non-governmental organizations.