The American Membrane Technology Association (AMTA) is pleased to announce that the 2021 recipient of the Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement is Ms. Dana Reed of the University of Houston. Reed is an Environmental Engineering graduate student studying Covalent Organic Framework Nanofiltration Membranes as a Platform for Development of a Simplified Predictive Donnan Steric Pore Model with Dielectric Exclusion under the guidance of Dr. Devin Shaffer. Reed has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Baylor University, Waco, Texas, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.
“The goal of this project is to develop an accessible nanofiltration model that is useful and practical for strategic membrane design and for accurate prediction of complex nanofiltration separations performance,” said Reed. “I am honored to receive this fellowship to support my work, which has the potential to expand the current descriptive model to offer predictive power and provide guidance for the design and modification of both Covalent Organic Frameworks and conventional nanofiltration membranes to achieve better permselectivity.”
“In her proposed research, Dana will improve understanding of how nanofiltration properties affect solute rejection, which will enable more widespread implementation of membrane desalination,” said Dr. Shaffer. “Working with Dana, it is clear that she will be a leader in the field of membrane technology.”
Advanced treatment of alternative supplies is becoming increasingly critical for long-term water security, and most such alternatives—including brackish groundwater, seawater, and recycled wastewater—require both membrane filtration and desalination technology. Accordingly, innovations in membrane technology have significant potential to reduce the cost, energy, and environmental impact of advanced treatment, yielding clean, safe, abundant, and cost-effective water supplies across the United States and throughout the world.
As the leading professional association dedicated specifically to membrane treatment technology and research, AMTA with its partners administers several fellowships for university students researching the use of membranes for water treatment, with more than $600,000 awarded since 2007. This financial support not only yields cutting-edge innovations in membrane technology, but also provides career development for the industry’s brightest young minds.
“As the professional community of membrane practitioners, AMTA is proud to support our industry’s best young talent,” said Brent Alspach, AMTA’s Fellowship Committee Chair. “AMTA is grateful for all the outstanding fellowship applicants, who are not only charting the future of membrane treatment, but also growing into the next generation of our community leaders.”
In 2018, AMTA expanded its commitment to academic scholarship and innovative membrane research by establishing the Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement in honor of his long and distinguished career dedicated to the beneficial application of membrane technology and his positive influence on both novice and seasoned membrane practitioners. Ian is a modern pioneer of membrane processes and served as AMTA’s first Executive Director. Reed is the fourth recipient of the Ian C. Watson Fellowship for Membrane Advancement.
The American Membrane Technology Association’s mission is to promote, advocate and advance the understanding and application of membrane technology to create safe, affordable and reliable water treatment solutions. Visit www.amtaorg.com for more information.