Details on Prof. David Weissbrodt's visit to MEcoH

Prof. David Weissbrodt from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway was invited to MEcoH on March 13th to establish potential collaboration and networking. Hailing from Switzerland, Prof. Weissbrodt is an environmental chemist, microbiologist, biotechnologist, engineer, and educator with a deep fascination for water environments. Also, he chairs the environmental engineering education specialist group of the International Water Association. This marks his first (and hopefully many more) visit of Prof. Weissbrodt to Ehime University, Japan. Thanks to his current institute's association with past collaborations, like the Kyoto International Forum for Environment and Energy (KIFEE), he is here to strengthen old ties. 

While speaking to a crowd of young researchers, Prof. Weissbrodt'sshared his secret to success, by staying curious and embracing new opportunities!  He highlighted his core research interest of antibiotic resistance, particularly in drinking water, aquaculture, and wastewater systems. Specifically, he and his team are interested in the presence and behavior of antibiotic-resistant genes in various human-related water sources, especially in aquaculture systems and wastewater treatment plants, where antibiotics are commonly detected.

On that very same day, there was a break-out session with the wastewater antimicrobial resistance gene and virome group. The team discussed collaboration opportunities and research gaps. It was a constructive session.

Prof. Weissbrodt emphasizes the importance of improving risk assessments related to antibiotic resistance in environmental systems, particularly in water treatment processes. He advocates for greater focus on studying the release and persistence of resistant genes and microbial elements in the environment, as well as the development of practical solutions to assess risks. 

Collaboration and innovation can lead to meaningful progress. With continued dedication and global cooperation, Prof. Weissbrodt believes that we can develop strategies that solves public health and the environment issues. 

Thank you for visiting! We hope to meet again soon.