Professor Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez has been recognised with the prestigious Water for Life Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to global water research and innovation.
The award recognises not only academic excellence but also meaningful impact on society – and Professor Fernandez-Ibanez embodies both, combining cutting-edge research with a deep commitment to addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges: access to clean and safe water.
Professor Fernandez-Ibanez’s work is at the forefront of interdisciplinary water research and has transformed approaches to water purification, particularly through the development of low-cost, sustainable technologies designed to deliver safe drinking water in low-income and resource-limited settings. Her pioneering research focuses on solar disinfection and advanced oxidation processes, combining scientific excellence with real-world impact.
Since joining Ulster University in 2017, Professor Fernandez-Ibanez has secured over £17.7 million in international research funding, leading major collaborative projects supported by organisations including EPSRC, the Global Challenges Research Fund, Horizon 2020 and the Royal Society. Her work has not only advanced scientific understanding but has directly improved lives in communities across Sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.
One of her most significant contributions has been the engineering of innovative solar-powered water disinfection systems. These technologies harness renewable energy to provide safe drinking water quickly and affordably, reducing reliance on chemicals and complex infrastructure. Today, her solar reactors are in use in countries such as Uganda, Malawi and South Africa, delivering tangible benefits to communities and supporting improved public health outcomes.
Through international projects such as WATERSPOUTT and SAFEWATER, Professor Fernandez-Ibanez and her team have worked closely with global partners to deploy and monitor water treatment solutions in real-world settings. These initiatives have demonstrated measurable impacts, including reductions in waterborne disease, improved school attendance among children and enhanced quality of life for families with limited access to safe water.
Her exceptional publication record - over 195 papers in leading journals and more than 14,500 citations - reflects the global reach and influence of her work, and she has been named among the top 2% of most influential scientists worldwide in multiple years (2019, 2023 and 2025, Stanford University).
Beyond her research, Professor Fernandez-Ibanez plays a vital role in the international scientific community, and has held key roles in major scientific conferences and policy committees, including the Royal Irish Academy’s Climate Change and Environmental Sciences Committee.
On receiving this award, Professor Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez said:
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. It reflects the support of a truly amazing team over many years of work. This recognition gives me renewed energy for future goals."
Colleagues across Ulster University warmly congratulate Professor Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez on this well-deserved recognition of her extraordinary work.
Find out more:
You can read more about Professor Fernandez-Ibanez’s research on her PURE profile at Pilar Fernandez-Ibanez - Ulster University
