The water community needs innovation to continue to produce and improve drinking water. Accordingly, the AEESP Emerging Investigator Lecture at AWWA WQTC will highlight and promote fundamental and emerging research on water quality and treatment by early career researchers.
This annual conference is typically held in November. This year, it is scheduled for November 15-19, 2026 in Memphis, TN.
AEESP alternates between academic and non-academic-based lecturers each year. In 2026, AEESP is seeking a non-academic lecturer. Scroll down to nominate a candidate for consideration.
Selection Criteria:
- Candidate selections alternate yearly between those with academic and non-academic (e.g. utility, government, consulting, technology, NGO) backgrounds.
- Candidate nominations are open to early career researchers from the water community who are either under 40 years of age or have worked no more than 12 years since receiving their doctoral degree, whichever is less restrictive.
- Nominations, including self-nominations, will be accepted.
- To ensure a diverse pool of applicants, the selection committee will solicit input from the drinking water community.
- No one shall receive the lecture more than once.
AEESP is grateful to Sustaining Member Corona Environmental Consulting for its generous support and sponsorship of this important AEESP activity.
Deadline to nominate: August 1 (*Extended to Friday, August 14, 2026)
Past AEESP Speakers:
| Name | Institution | Year |
| Caitlin Proctor | Purdue University | 2025 |
| Ariel Atkinson | Southern Nevada Water Authority | 2024 |
| Feng Xiao | University of Missouri | 2023 |
| Simoni Triantafyllidou | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | 2022 |
| Émilie Bédard | Polytechnique Montreal | 2021 |
| David Wahman | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | 2019 |
| Eric Wert | Southern Nevada Water Authority | 2018 |
| Fernando Rosario-Ortiz | University of Colorado Boulder | 2017 |