Research Interests

Aisling O’Sullivan is an Ahorangi Tuarua/Associate Professor and a Kaipūhanga Rauropi/ Ecological Engineer. She leads CELTS (Centre for EcoLogical Technology Solutions, www.CELTS.org.nz) which she founded in 2006 to meet the research gap in Ecological Engineering in Aotearoa New Zealand. CELTS is part of the Department of Civil & Natural Resources Engineering at UC.

Aisling's research interests involve monitoring, modelling and treating non-point source metal and nutrient contaminants that are difficult to remove. Applications have been applied to the urban, mining and rural environments. She currently leads a National Science Challenge cross-disciplinary team 3D-printed water treatment filters fabricated from under-utilised biowastes. Upon the end-of-their design life, these products are regenerated into safe (green) materials that become a new resource.

Complementary research Aisling has led included developing algal-bacterial biomass as a second generation biofuel. She also supervises research on green roof and green wall systems to treat wastewater streams. Aisling's team employ Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) modelling tools to measure the environmental impacts of different treatment technologies they develop.

Aisling has supervised >23 PhD and Masters Engineering projects and >29 (team) Honours research projects to completion. She has published >76 full peer-reviewed technical research articles in journals (39), books (5) and conference proceedings(32), with an additional 65 extended abstracts and numerous technical reports. Her research has been widely published and independently validated as outstanding with the award of an A score in the latest PBRF assessment. Her moto is it's 'Eco-Logical' to engineer in partnership with nature.