Dr. Elena Koumaki | Water Management | Best Researcher Award

Post Doctoral Researcher at Imperial College London, United Kingdom

Elena Koumaki 🇬🇷 is a passionate Environmental Scientist 🌍 with a PhD in Wastewater and Water Management from NTUA 🎓. She brings over a decade of experience in water quality, circular economy, and sustainable wastewater treatment ♻️. Having worked across Greece, the UK, Spain, USA, and Germany 🇪🇸🇺🇸🇩🇪, she has contributed to numerous EU-funded projects like Horizon Europe and Interreg 🌐. Her work focuses on innovative water reuse and pollution control 💧. Elena’s impactful research is recognized through high citation metrics 📈, reflecting her commitment to a greener, sustainable future 🌱.

Professional Profile:

Orcid

Scopus

Google Scholar

🔹 Education & Experience 

🎓 Education

• 📚 PhD in Wastewater & Water Management – NTUA (2012–2018)

• 📘 MSc in Water Quality & Environmental Technology – NTUA (2008–2010)

• 🎓 BSc in Environmental Science – University of the Aegean (2004–2008)

💼 Work Experience

• 🧪 Research Fellow – NTUA (2025–Present)

• 🔬 Research Associate – Imperial College London (2023–2024)

• 💡 Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow – Imperial College London (2023–2024)

• 📊 Project Manager & Research Fellow – NTUA (2020–2022)

• 🧫 Research Fellow – Satistica Ltd. (UK, 2019–2020)

• 🌊 Research Fellow – Various projects, NTUA (2018–2019)

• 👩‍🏫 Teaching Assistant – NTUA (2017–2018)

• 🌍 Research Visitor – Spain, USA, Germany (2016–2017)

• 🧪 Environmental Scientist – Roikos Engineering (2011–2012)

🔹 Professional Development 

Elena Koumaki continually sharpens her expertise through active involvement in groundbreaking research projects across Europe and beyond 🌍. She has been part of international research teams and EU programs like Horizon Europe, Interreg, PRIMA, and MSCA 🚀. Her participation as both project manager and researcher reflects her leadership and collaborative spirit 🤝. As a thesis co-supervisor and teaching assistant, she has mentored future environmental scientists 📖. She engages in continuous learning through workshops, conferences, and scientific publications 📚, building a robust professional profile in environmental innovation and sustainable water management 💧♻️.

🔹 Research Focus 

Elena’s research centers on sustainable water and wastewater management, resource recovery, and pollution control ♻️💧. She specializes in evaluating and enhancing the circular economy within aquatic systems 🌊. Her work includes early warning systems for pathogens, forward osmosis, water reuse, and mitigation of emerging contaminants 🧪. She contributes to smart water management technologies and bioremediation solutions for cleaner environments 🌿. Collaborating across countries and disciplines, she applies integrated approaches to manage water scarcity, particularly in Mediterranean regions 🏖️. Elena’s innovative research supports climate resilience and sustainable urban and agricultural water practices 🚰🌱.

🔹 Awards & Honors 

🏆 1️⃣ Graduated 1st in Class – BSc Environmental Science, University of the Aegean
🧠 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship – UKRI-funded prestigious EU program
📈 High Citation Impact – 831 Google Scholar citations, h-index: 10
🌍 Horizon Europe Projects Leader – Leading multiple high-profile EU-funded initiatives
📘 20 Thesis Co-Supervisions – Contribution to academic development at NTUA

Publication Top Notes

1. Circular Water Management in Agriculture: Screening of Contaminants of Emerging Concern in a Real-World Water-Soil-Crop System and Human Health Risk Assessment

• Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials

• Publication Date: July 2025

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.138167

• Source: Crossref

• Summary: This study evaluates the occurrence and risks of emerging contaminants within circular agricultural water systems, analyzing the fate of such contaminants across water, soil, and crops, and assessing potential human health risks.

2. Development of an Integrated Fixed-Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) Reactor Treating Landfill Leachate for the Biological Nitrogen Removal through Nitritation-Denitritation

• Journal: Journal of Environmental Management

• Publication Date: August 2024

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121709

• Source: Crossref

• Summary: This paper presents an IFAS reactor system optimized for nitrogen removal from landfill leachate using nitritation-denitritation, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of treatment processes.

3. Removal of Contaminants of Emerging Concern from Wastewater Using an Integrated Column System Containing Zero Valent Iron Nanoparticles

• Journal: Water

• Publication Date: February 3, 2023

• DOI: 10.3390/w15030598

• ISSN: 2073-4441

• Source: Elena Koumaki

• Summary: This article investigates the use of zero-valent iron (ZVI) nanoparticles in a column system for the removal of pharmaceuticals and other contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from wastewater.

4. Insights into Current Physical, Chemical and Hybrid Technologies Used for the Treatment of Wastewater Contaminated with Pharmaceuticals

• Journal: Journal of Cleaner Production

• Publication Date: August 2022

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.132079

• Source: Crossref

• Summary: This review highlights and evaluates existing physical, chemical, and hybrid technologies used in removing pharmaceutical contaminants from wastewater, with a focus on efficiency and environmental impact.

5. Assessing the Performance of Environmentally Friendly-Produced Zerovalent Iron Nanoparticles to Remove Pharmaceuticals from Water

• Journal: Sustainability

• Publication Date: November 17, 2021

• DOI: 10.3390/su132212708

• ISSN: 2071-1050

• Source: Elena Koumaki

• Summary: This study evaluates green synthesis methods for ZVI nanoparticles and their effectiveness in removing pharmaceutical compounds from water, aligning with sustainable development goals.

Conclusion

Dr. Elena Koumaki is highly deserving of a Best Researcher Award. Her research has had measurable academic and societal impact, particularly in addressing urgent global issues such as water scarcity, pollution control, and sustainable resource management. She represents an exemplary model of a modern researcher who combines scientific rigor, innovation, and practical implementation. Her profile aligns perfectly with the values of excellence, innovation, and global engagement that such an award celebrates.