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.
Significant impact to global scientific community
Professor Medema's work has been foundational in establishing wastewater-based epidemiology as a tool for public health surveillance during the pandemic, with his first publication on the topic garnering substantial attention with over 1,400 citations and more than 34,000 views between 2020 and 2023. Wastewater surveillance has since been adopted worldwide as a powerful tool for the early detection of diseases like SARS-CoV-2, even before cases are reported through clinical testing. This in turn provides valuable insights into the prevalence of the virus in a community, and a proven cost-effective and non-invasive method for tracking the spread of the disease.
“In the current post-pandemic world, wastewater monitoring is now firmly established as a tool for public health surveillance for an increasing number of diseases,” said Professor Medema.
Wastewater has been tested for SARS-CoV-2 in at least 72 countries at over 4,000 reported sites, with Professor Medema himself connected to about 30% of these programmes directly. Amidst his active involvement in international collaborations, and sharing of expertise and findings with the global scientific community, he has made great contributions to the development of international guidelines and best practices for wastewater surveillance.
Dedicated to advancing the science of waterborne pathogens, Professor Medema advises the World Health Organization (WHO) on microbiological drinking water guidelines and Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA); SARS, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH); and wastewater surveillance. He also advises the European Commission on the EU Drinking Water Directives and water reuse guidelines, thereby ensuring that the knowledge gained from his research is disseminated widely and applied effectively. His leadership in this area has helped to establish a network of researchers and practitioners dedicated to using WBE as a tool for public health surveillance. As the world braces itself for other emerging diseases, wastewater surveillance has been established as a vital tool in safeguarding public health through Professor Medema.
Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize
Professor Medema is the 10th Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize laureate. Launched in 2008, the Prize honours outstanding contributions by individuals or organisations towards solving the world's water problems by developing or applying innovative technologies, or implementing policies and programmes which benefit humanity. The Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize is named after Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, and it is the highlight of the Singapore International Water Week.
Professor Medema will receive the Prize – an award certificate, a gold medallion, and a cash prize of SGD 300,000, sponsored by the Temasek Foundation, from Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, President of the Republic of Singapore, at an award ceremony on 18 June. Moreover, he will deliver a keynote lecture on 19 June, during the Singapore International Water Week 2024.
