Dr. Carlos Arias | Waterborne Award | Outstanding Scientist Award

Senior Researcher at Aarhus University, Denmark

Dr. Carlos Arias is a renowned researcher and expert in the field of environmental engineering, particularly focused on water treatment and management. He holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Aarhus University, Denmark, and has extensive experience in academia and research. Dr. Arias has contributed significantly to the development and optimization of processes for removing pollutants from water, with a particular emphasis on improving nutrient, pathogen, and emergent pollutant removal in decentralized wastewater systems.

Professional Profiles:

Education:

Dr. Carlos Arias has a diverse educational background, reflecting his multidisciplinary approach to research and teaching. He completed his Ph.D. in Biology at Aarhus University, Denmark, in 2007, focusing on plant biology. Prior to this, he obtained a Master of Science in Civil Engineering, with a specialization in Environmental Engineering, from Barcelona Tech (UPC), Spain, in 1998. Dr. Arias also holds a Civil Engineering degree from Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Bogota, Colombia, earned in 1995. Additionally, he completed a Diploma in Hydraulics at Shefayim, Israel, in 1990. This broad educational foundation has equipped Dr. Arias with a unique perspective on environmental issues, combining engineering principles with biological sciences.

Positions:

Dr. Carlos Arias has held various academic and professional positions, showcasing his extensive experience and expertise in the field of environmental science and engineering. Since 2016, he has served as a Senior Researcher at Aarhus University, where he continues to conduct groundbreaking research in water pollution control and environmental remediation. Prior to this, Dr. Arias worked as a Researcher at the Department of Bioscience at Aarhus University, further enhancing his knowledge in the biological aspects of environmental science. He also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Department of Environmental Engineering at Aalborg University in 2011, expanding his research horizons. Dr. Arias began his academic journey as a PhD Student at Aarhus University in 2002, where he laid the foundation for his future research endeavors. His professional experience includes roles such as an Engineer at Aarhus Kommunale Værker in the GIS Department and a Research Assistant at Aarhus University, demonstrating his commitment to both practical applications and academic pursuits in environmental science and engineering.

Award and Honors:

Dr. Carlos Arias has been recognized with several prestigious awards and honors for his outstanding contributions to environmental science and engineering. In 2018, he was honored with the Sludge and Resource Recovery of the Year Water Industry Award, highlighting his innovative work in resource recovery from wastewater. His dedication to environmental innovation was further acknowledged when WWF selected his project as one of the top ten environmental innovation projects. Dr. Arias has also been recognized internationally for his contributions to academia, being appointed as a Visiting Professor at various institutions, including the Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Molina in Perú, the Universidad Catolica del Maule in Chile, and the Southwest University of Science and Technology in China. These appointments underscore his impact on the global academic community and his commitment to advancing environmental research and education. Additionally, Dr. Arias has chaired several prestigious events, such as the WETPOL 2019 conference at Aarhus University, further solidifying his reputation as a leader in the field.

Research:

Dr. Carlos Arias is a dedicated researcher with a focus on the identification, development, and optimization of processes for pollutant removal from water. His research efforts also extend to improving nutrient, pathogen, and emergent pollutant removal in decentralized wastewater systems. Dr. Arias has been at the forefront of introducing innovative operational schemes and technologies, such as intensification of constructed wetlands, reactive media, and Electroactive-based systems, to enhance the performance of natural-based solutions. His research has not only contributed to the advancement of knowledge in the field but has also had practical applications. Dr. Arias has been responsible for designing and constructing wastewater treatment and runoff management systems in several countries, including Denmark, India, Spain, Chile, Perú, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico, Vietnam, and China. His work has had a significant impact on improving water quality and environmental sustainability globally.

Teaching Experience:

Dr. Carlos Arias has a wealth of experience in teaching and mentoring students in various aspects of environmental science and engineering. He has been responsible for organizing and delivering courses at both the graduate and postgraduate levels, focusing on topics such as water pollution control, field ecology, and tropical ecosystems ecology. Since 2004, Dr. Arias has been leading the biannual Ph.D. course in Water Pollution Control, providing students with comprehensive insights into the latest advancements and practices in the field. Additionally, he has been a key teacher for the Master of Environment program in Sino-Danish cooperation in China since 2013, contributing to international collaborations in environmental education. Dr. Arias has also lectured on Tropical Ecosystems Ecology at Aarhus University since 2010, sharing his expertise and passion for the subject with students. His commitment to education extends beyond Aarhus University, as he has engaged in several external teaching activities at universities in China, Spain, Chile, Uruguay, Mexico, Colombia, India, and Vietnam. Throughout his teaching career, Dr. Arias has supervised numerous MSc and Ph.D. students, providing them with valuable guidance and mentorship to help them succeed in their academic pursuits.

Publications:

“The use of vertical flow constructed wetlands for on-site treatment of domestic wastewater: New Danish guidelines”
- Authors: H Brix, CA Arias
- Year: 2005
- Citations: 682
“Phosphorus removal by sands for use as media in subsurface flow constructed reed beds”
- Authors: CA Arias, M Del Bubba, H Brix
- Year: 2001
- Citations: 640
“Bioenergy potential of Ulva lactuca: biomass yield, methane production and combustion”
- Authors: A Bruhn, J Dahl, HB Nielsen, L Nikolaisen, MB Rasmussen, S Markager, CA Arias
- Year: 2011
- Citations: 502
“Phosphorus adsorption maximum of sands for use as media in subsurface flow constructed reed beds as measured by the Langmuir isotherm”
- Authors: M Del Bubba, CA Arias, H Brix
- Year: 2003
- Citations: 413
“Media selection for sustainable phosphorus removal in subsurface flow constructed wetlands”
- Authors: H Brix, CA Arias, M del Bubba
- Year: 2001
- Citations: 398
“Preliminary screening of small-scale domestic wastewater treatment systems for removal of pharmaceutical and personal care products”
- Authors: V Matamoros, C Arias, H Brix, JM Bayona
- Year: 2009
- Citations: 311
“Removal of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) from urban wastewater in a pilot vertical flow constructed wetland and a sand filter”
- Authors: V Matamoros, C Arias, H Brix, JM Bayona
- Year: 2007
- Citations: 294
“Microbial communities from different types of natural wastewater treatment systems: vertical and horizontal flow constructed wetlands and biofilters”
- Authors: B Adrados, O Sánchez, CA Arias, E Becares, L Garrido, J Mas, H Brix
- Year: 2014
- Citations: 224
“Can root exudates from emergent wetland plants fuel denitrification in subsurface flow constructed wetland systems?”
- Authors: X Zhai, N Piwpuan, CA Arias, T Headley, H Brix
- Year: 2013
- Citations: 209
“Evaluation of aquatic plants for removing polar microcontaminants: a microcosm experiment”
- Authors: V Matamoros, LX Nguyen, CA Arias, V Salvadó, H Brix
- Year: 2012
- Citations: 189

Carlos Arias | Waterborne Award | Outstanding Scientist Award