News
Organizing IWA YWP BeNeLux 2026 Conference: Bringing Together Young Water Professionals Across the Region
We are proud to announce that Tiago Martins (DC3) is part of the Organising Committee of the IWA YWP BeNeLux 2026 Conference, an event that aims to connect young water professionals, researchers, utilities, technology providers, and industry experts from across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. As an INCLUE PhD Candidate, he has focused on water treatment, sludge treatment, resource recovery, and circular water management. Through both research and industry experience, he has seen firsthand how collaborations between different sectors are essential to addressing the complex water challenges of today and
INCLUE(ded) at AD19 in Valencia: some insights on Biodegradation and Thermal Hydrolysis of Micropollutants
This week, the 19th International Water Association Anaerobic Digestion conference (IWA-AD19) took place in Valencia, Spain. It was an intense, enriching and exciting experience. The first day was dedicated to inspiring workshops on diverse topics (such as unlocking the potential of under-utilised waste streams, or lab-to-full-scale application of micro-aeration in AD), followed by a welcoming ceremony at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, a modern and elegant venue located in the modern Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. Over the next three days, the conference featured
INCLUE Doctoral Candidates Showcase Innovation and Collaboration at RRB 2026
The INCLUE Project continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to advancing sustainable solutions in the field of resource recovery and circular bioeconomy. Bringing together 11 highly motivated doctoral candidates (DCs) from across Europe and UK, INCLUE focuses on developing cutting-edge research at the intersection of biotechnology, environmental engineering, and industrial sustainability. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the project aims to transform waste streams into valuable resources, contributing to a more resilient and climate-neutral future. The doctoral candidates, each working on specialized yet interconnected topics, represent the core driving force behind INCLUE’s mission
Meet the Researchers Behind INCLUE: Sara Cvetković and Tiago Martins Share Their Journey
In a newly released video, two INCLUE doctoral candidates, Sara Cvetković and Tiago Martins, share insights into their research activities, their experiences within the network, and the opportunities provided by international and intersectoral collaboration. Sara is conducting her doctoral research at Watchfrog, one of INCLUE’s industrial partners, where she contributes to developing innovative approaches to assessing the effects of contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Tiago, PhD candidate at KU Leuven and Nijhuis Saur Industries, recently completed a two-month secondment with the Watchfrog team, gaining hands-on experience in an industrial research environment
Conference participation at ESS19
From 25th to 29th of May, I had the pleasure to participate in the ESS19 conference in Chania, Greece. Biannually, experts in sonochemistry gather to share their newly gained knowledge, expertise, and advancements in the field. Here, I had the pleasure to show my research with the presentation “Frequency-dependent sonochemical degradation of emerging PFAS in water”, in which I displayed part of the results obtained during my secondment in Oxford during the summer of 2025. I focused on the influence of frequency on the degradation of PFAS and how to
Tiago Martins (DC3) named “Researcher of the Month” by MCAA Spain-Portugal Chapter
We are pleased to share that Tiago Martins (DC3), PhD researcher within the INCLUE project, has been selected as “Researcher of the Month” (May) by a co-joint project of the MCAA Spain-Portugal Chapter and the MCAA Brazil Chapter. This recognition follows his earlier distinction as MSCA Fellow of the Month at EU level by the MCAA Association, highlighting the international visibility and relevance of his work within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) community. Tiago’s research focuses on transforming wastewater sludge from a hazardous byproduct into a valuable resource. Using electrochemical
INCLUE Researcher Tiago Martins Featured in IWA Youth Voices Podcast
International Water Association (IWA) has recently released a new episode of its IWA Youth Voices podcast series, featuring INCLUE doctoral researcher Tiago Martins (DC3). 🎧 Listen to the episode: https://www.iwa-network.org/podcasts/becoming-a-scientist-abroad-advice-from-young-scientists-for-young-scientists In the episode, titled “Becoming a Scientist Abroad: Advice from Young Scientists for Young Scientists”, Tiago speaks with Natasha Mumba about his experience pursuing a PhD in an international context. The discussion highlights both the opportunities and challenges of building a research career across borders. Drawing on his work within the INCLUE project, Tiago shares insights into his research on
INRAEching knowledge on sludge organics, matters. DC4 starts secondment at LBE Narbonne
Only a 9-hour train journey, with the usual complexities of a Paris transfer, connects Delft to Narbonne. An easy trip for Andrea Deiana (DC4) and his 10kg of thermally treated sludge samples. And so, Andrea’s three-month secondment at INRAE’s Laboratoire de Biotechnologie de l’Environnement began this March. The aim? Studying the interactions between organic matter and micropollutants after sludge thermal treatment. Easy to say, yet complex by nature to analyse. Stay tuned for some results that matter!
Bridging Research and Learning: Nitin Kumar Presents to a Broad Academic Audience at the University of Glasgow
A diverse academic audience gathered at the University of Glasgow to hear doctoral researcher Nitin Kumar (DC11) present his work titled “Holistic Sensing of Pollutants and Ecotoxicity in Wastewater Treated Sludge”, a topic that is far more fascinating than it might first appear. The presentation offered an insightful introduction to the science of sludge, a topic that, despite its everyday relevance, is often overlooked in mainstream scientific discourse. Kumar guided the audience through the fundamental concepts underpinning his research, breaking down technical ideas into clear and relatable terms without sacrificing
What-er-Congress! DC4 presents at the Nieuwjaars Watercongres 2026 (VC76)
At the start of the year, Andrea Deiana (DC4) had the chance to present his work under the INCLUE project during the Nieuwjaars Watercongres (VC76), a gathering of the Dutch Water sector at TU Delft. Increasing water pollution from emerging contaminants, costly wastewater treatment plants struggling to keep pace, and the desire to recover valuable nutrients were among the challenges discussed during the congress, accompanied by a provocative question: ‘The time is ripe, and we are ready to reap the fruits, but how do we do it?’ “Perhaps with some
Encouraging Young Minds: Nitin Kumar Engages Pupils in Chemistry at Paracetamol Workshops
On 2 December 2025, University of Glasgow doctoral researcher Nitin Kumar (DC11) participated in a series of Paracetamol-themed laboratory workshops for a group of pupils who travelled from Dumfries. Aimed at providing hands-on experience in chemistry, the sessions introduced students to practical aspects of pharmaceutical science while offering a glimpse into life as a researcher. The workshops were divided into two parts. In the first half, Kumar and a couple of colleagues delivered a short talk about their academic journeys and research projects, sharing insights into the day-to-day work of
Organizing IWA YWP BeNeLux 2026 Conference: Bringing Together Young Water Professionals Across the Region
We are proud to announce that Tiago Martins (DC3) is part of the Organising Committee of the IWA YWP BeNeLux 2026 Conference, an event that aims to connect young water professionals, researchers, utilities, technology providers, and industry experts from across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. As an INCLUE PhD Candidate, he has focused on water treatment, sludge treatment, resource recovery, and circular water management. Through both research and industry experience, he has seen firsthand how collaborations between different sectors are essential to addressing the complex water challenges of today and
INCLUE(ded) at AD19 in Valencia: some insights on Biodegradation and Thermal Hydrolysis of Micropollutants
This week, the 19th International Water Association Anaerobic Digestion conference (IWA-AD19) took place in Valencia, Spain. It was an intense, enriching and exciting experience. The first day was dedicated to inspiring workshops on diverse topics (such as unlocking the potential of under-utilised waste streams, or lab-to-full-scale application of micro-aeration in AD), followed by a welcoming ceremony at the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofía, a modern and elegant venue located in the modern Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències. Over the next three days, the conference featured
INCLUE Doctoral Candidates Showcase Innovation and Collaboration at RRB 2026
The INCLUE Project continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to advancing sustainable solutions in the field of resource recovery and circular bioeconomy. Bringing together 11 highly motivated doctoral candidates (DCs) from across Europe and UK, INCLUE focuses on developing cutting-edge research at the intersection of biotechnology, environmental engineering, and industrial sustainability. Through interdisciplinary collaboration, the project aims to transform waste streams into valuable resources, contributing to a more resilient and climate-neutral future. The doctoral candidates, each working on specialized yet interconnected topics, represent the core driving force behind INCLUE’s mission
Meet the Researchers Behind INCLUE: Sara Cvetković and Tiago Martins Share Their Journey
In a newly released video, two INCLUE doctoral candidates, Sara Cvetković and Tiago Martins, share insights into their research activities, their experiences within the network, and the opportunities provided by international and intersectoral collaboration. Sara is conducting her doctoral research at Watchfrog, one of INCLUE’s industrial partners, where she contributes to developing innovative approaches to assessing the effects of contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Tiago, PhD candidate at KU Leuven and Nijhuis Saur Industries, recently completed a two-month secondment with the Watchfrog team, gaining hands-on experience in an industrial research environment
Conference participation at ESS19
From 25th to 29th of May, I had the pleasure to participate in the ESS19 conference in Chania, Greece. Biannually, experts in sonochemistry gather to share their newly gained knowledge, expertise, and advancements in the field. Here, I had the pleasure to show my research with the presentation “Frequency-dependent sonochemical degradation of emerging PFAS in water”, in which I displayed part of the results obtained during my secondment in Oxford during the summer of 2025. I focused on the influence of frequency on the degradation of PFAS and how to