Dutch microbiologist wins Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for work on early Covid-19 detection

“Professor Gertjan Medema, Principal Microbiologist at KWR Water Research Institute and an expert in water quality and health, has been awarded the Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2024 for his breakthrough research and discovery, and significant contributions in the field of wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE). His research revolutionised the application of WBE for virus detection in wastewater during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Recognising the need for early Covid-19 detection and monitoring, Professor Gertjan Medema and his team began collecting wastewater samples across the Netherlands in early 2020 to test for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. He quickly focused his team’s research on curbing the spread of the virus in the community through wastewater surveillance. The results were promising when evidence of the virus was detected in the wastewater of several cities even before they were officially reported in these cities.
“It is my great honour and privilege to receive the distinguished Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize. This award is a recognition of the innovative use of wastewater as a data source for trends in COVID-19 circulation in our communities,” said Professor Medema.”

(Citation: Dutch microbiologist wins Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize for work on early Covid-19 detection – www.dutchwatersector.com (2024)16 April)