Centre for EcoLogical Technology Solutions 

Research Leader

Aisling O'Sullivan

Associate Professor
Civil & Natural Resources Engineering Rm E443
Internal Phone: 92045

Our research group is a diverse bunch and our research is conducted in partnership with councils, iwi and industry. If you would like to join our dynamic team, applications are welcome all year around but please refer to Criteria for Research Candidates information before contacting Prof. O’Sullivan.

Current Team

Biofabrication of Sustainable Materials for Clean Water Technologies

Benoit Guieysse

Professor
School of Food and Advanced Technology, Massey University

David Barker

Professor
Faculty of Science, Auckland University

Hossein Najaf Zadeh

Lecturer
Industrial Product Design
West 321
Internal Phone: 90759

Rupert Craggs

Principal Scientist
NIWA's Aquatic Pollution Mitigation Group, Hamilton

Craig Pauling

Māori Research Advisor
Ngāi Tahu, Tairea Ltd

Ricardo Bello-Mendoza

Associate Professor
Humanitarian Engineering (Co-director) On Sabbatical in 2023
Civil & Natural Resources Engineering E429

Kim L Pickering

Professor
Associate Dean Research
Environmental Research Institute, The University of Waikato

Stuart Lansley

Programme Manager
Internal Phone: 90260

Ken Wai

Post Doctoral Fellow
Internal Phone: 91420

Conan Fee

Head of School
Professor
West 309

Stormwater Treatment Technologies

Tom Cochrane

Professor
Civil & Natural Resources Engineering E407

Mike Hannah

Co-founder, Managing Director and Technical Engineer
Stormwater360

Frances Charters

Senior Lecturer
Civil and Natural Resources Engineering E307
Internal Phone: 94632
Environment Canterbury logo 
Christchurch City Council logo 

Fish Passage and Built Barriers

Tonny de Vries

Senior Lecturer
Civil & Natural Resources Engineering E431
Internal Phone: 95963

Sjaan Bowie

Technical Advisor (Freshwater)
Department of Conservation

Mike Hickford

Research Associate (Marine Ecology)

Green Roofs

Tonny de Vries

Senior Lecturer
Civil & Natural Resources Engineering E431
Internal Phone: 95963

Mike Hannah

Co-founder, Managing Director and Technical Engineer
Stormwater360

Matthew Vining

Environmental & Ecological Engineering Student
Purdue University, USA

Stephanie Koviessen

Senior Scientist
Environment Canterbury

Engineering Education

William Vidal

Practitioner, PhD

PhD candidates

Honor Eimi Columbus

PhD Candidate
Research Title: Life-Cycle Assessment of Clean Water Technologies

Jessika Souza de Carvalho

PhD Candidate
Research Title: Quantifying the design life and environmental impacts of downpipe treatment systems for removing dissolved metals from roof runoff.

Sepideh Ansari

PhD Candidate
Research Title: Development of novel biobased 3D-printed adsorbents for nutrients removal from wastewater

Moeen Gholami

PhD Candidate
Research Title: Greywater treatment by natural biofilter

Masters candidates

Campbell Stevens

ME Candidate, Mechanical Engineering

Stephanie Patchett

ME Candidate
Assessing Performance of Fish Passage Design for New Zealand Native Fish Species

Honours Candidates

Linda Bos

BE(Hons), Civil Engineering
Engineering design drawings and cost estimate of 3D printed water treatment filters produced from waste resources (ENCN493)

Jessica Frost

BE(Hons), Natural Resources
Engineering design drawings and cost estimate of 3D printed water treatment filters produced from waste resources (ENCN493)

Summer Students

 

Dan Bowles

Research Assistant
Development of SAM v3 and printing filters for water filtration

Florencia Ocampo Prieto

Research Associate

Amber Moke

Māori Project Coordinator
Clean Water Technology project

 Former Post-Doctoral Fellows

  • Dr Mehrnoush Tangestani (2021-2022) Novel engineered media for sustainable water treatment by biofabricating and valorising waste resources.
  • Dr Daniel Wicke (2009-2012) HydroEcological Modelling of Stormwater Contaminants

 Former Doctoral Students

  • Forrest Bilek (2018-2023) Variability in Stormwater Treatment: Identification and Quantification of Factors Affecting Manufactured Stormwater Treatment System Performance
  • Gary Rorke (2020-2021) Valorisation of grape marc (waste) as a renewable energy that optimises for environmental, economic and social outcomes
  • Frances Charters (2013-2016) Characterising and modelling urban runoff quality for improved stormwater management
  • Benjamin Uster (2012-2015) The use of waste mussel shell in sulfate-reducing bioreactors treating mine-influenced waters
  • Louise Murphy (2012-2015) Quantifying Spatial and Temporal Deposition of Atmospheric Pollutants in Runoff from Different Pavement Types
  • Kirsti Biswals (2010-2013), Microbial Ecology & Genomics) Microbial Community Structure and Biofilm Development in a Moving-Bed Waste Water Treatment System
  • Julia Valigore (2007-2011) Microbial (Microalgal-Bacterial) Biomass Grown on Municipal Wastewater for Sustainable Biofuel Production
  • Craig McCauley (2006-2011) Assessment of passive treatement and biogeochemical reactors for ameliorating acid mine drainage at Stockton coal mine
  • Mauricio Taulis (2004-2007) Groundwater Extraction and Disposal Modelling for Coal bed Methane

 Former Masters Students

  • Stephanie Patchett (2021-2023) Effectiveness of Flexi and Spoiler Baffles in Culverts for New Zealand Native Fish Passage
  • Stephanie Koviessen (2022) Physical and Chemical Parameters of Various Waste Materials for Living Roof Systems
  • Bruce (Bhuri) Rodprasert (2020-2021) Living roofs to treat adjacent roof runoff using waste media substrates
  • Anna Nilsson (2019-2022) Anaerobic pond treatment of pig farm effluent in New Zealand: exploring opportunities for enhanced performance
  • Rachel Skews (2018-2021) Mechanisms of dissolved Zn and Cu retention by mussel shells in a rapid-flow stormwater treatment system
  • Henry Wadworth-Watts (2011-2012) Modelling the Hydrology of the Lake Clearwater Catchment
  • Joseph Good (2010-2011) Monitoring and Modelling Water Quality Treatment and Hydraulic Efficacy of Rain Gardens
  • S Bougard (2010) Hydraulic efficiency of urban infiltration systems
  • Joe Wheeler (2007-2010) Hydrodynamic Modelling and Quantification of Available Habitat in Constructed Wetland Wildlife Reserves         
  • Yan (Sarah) Zhou (2005-2006) Modelling Retention Times in Constructed Wetlands

 Former Research Assistants

  • Dr Nassim Jalil Mozhdehi (2022) PhD in Food Science, 3D Printing wastewater treatment filters from biowastes
  • Zane Goggins (2022) 3D Printing biocarriers for wastewater treatment
  • Turin Li (2021) Masters in Civil Engineering, Water Quality Testing of wastewater filters 3D Printed from biowastes
  • Matthew Vining (2020) BE(Hons) in Environmental Engineering (Purdue, USA), Living roofs to treat adjacent roof runoff using waste media substrates
  • Afrooz Bayat (2019-2020) PhD in Civil Engineering, Treating diffuse nutrients using waste seashells
  • Banon Hopman (2019-2020) Bachelor in Product Design, Product Development and design of the Storminator™
  • Frances Bodger (2013) ME Candidate in Civil Engineering, Fish passage and barrier control
  • Ignacio Fraga Cadórniga (2012-2013) PhD candidate in Civil Engineering (Spain), Modelling stormwater contaminants sources in urban catchments
  • Dr Darren Smalley (2011) Post-Doctoral Research Fellow in School of Biological Sciences, Getting the Stormwater Message Across
  • Jeanette White (2010) ME candidate in Civil Engineering, Developing anti-fouling technologies for continuously logged water quality ‘ecosensors’
  • Sophie Bougard (2010) National Water and Environment Engineering Institute in Strasbourg, France, Hydraulic efficacy of urban infiltration Systems
  • Joe Good (2010) ME candidate in Civil Engineering, Developing anti-fouling technologies for continuously logged water quality ‘ecosensors’
  • Tim Huber (2009) PhD candidate in Mechanical Engineering, Developing anti-fouling technologies for continuously logged water quality ‘ecosensors’

 Former Honours Students

Bachelor of Engineering Honours in Natural Resources or Civil Engineering

  • Ariana Wilks and Josefien Van Dael (2021) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Eco-Engineered Stormwater Treatment System
  • Stephanie Patchett and Dylan Edwards (2020) Living roofs to treat adjacent roof runoff using waste media substrates
  • Samuel Patterson and Matthew Wearn (2020) Hydraulic Modelling of the Storminator™
  • Duncan Ross and Matthew Young (2020) The Storminator™ - A retrofit and sustainable stormwater treatment technology (I- Field-based)
  • Lyle Hattle and Jack Harrison (2020) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Eco-Engineered Stormwater Treatment Systems
  • Melissa Klok and Jess Aldridge (2019) Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Eco-Engineered Stormwater Treatment System
  • Sergio Hansen and Julian Maranan (2019) Treatment performance of an innovative downpipe stormwater treatment solution
  • Elise Howe and Will Heffernan (2019) Treatment Media Lifespan and Long-Term Removal Rates of Dissolved Zinc in a Downpipe Treatment System
  • Su Ko and Alex Evans (2013) Metal removal in sulphate-reducing bioreactors treating AMD
  • Dan Bond and George Thompson (2013) Flow modelling green roof systems
  • Peter Murphy and Mark Bassett (2012) Monitoring hydrological budgets in living roof systems at UC
  • Rachel Bennett and Devon Bishop (2011) Modelling the Life Cycle Assessment of Stormwater Treatment Systems
  • Gabrielle Parker (2010) GIS-based modelling of stormwater inputs into the Okeover Stream
  • Summer Faulkner and Michaela Sherratt (2010) Lake Clearwater restoration initiatives
  • Jenna Hutchinson and Edward Funnell (2008) Developing an Eco-Hydro Logical Model for stormwater management at UC
  • Tess Mahar, Sophie Broad and Jesse Adams (2007) Quantifying Stormwater of University of Canterbury car parks for Resource Consent Renewal
  • Amy Toole (2006) Raupo Manufacturing for the Ecologically Sustainable Production of Insulation and Building Materials
  • Stuart Farrant (2006) Treatment of Stormwater Runoff in the Ephemeral Reach of the Okeover Stream; An Ecological Engineering Approach
  • David Taylor (2005) Rural Drain Management at Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere) Catchment, Canterbury
  • Frances Bodger (2005) New Zealand's future fuel (Coal Seam Gas) with associated wastewaters. Is the wastewater an additional resource?
  • S de Boer (2005) Acid Mine Drainage Remediation Study, Malvern Hills Coal Project, Canterbury
  • Suzanne Marsh (2004) Acid Mine Drainage Treatment by Aeration and Constructed Wetland Systems
  • Sarah Dudson (2004) Performance of Vegetated Swales for Stormwater Treatment

 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Engineering Geology

  • Steve de Boer (2005) Acid-Mine Drainage Source Evaluation, Malvern Hills Coals Project
  • Andre Alipate (2005) Acid Mine Drainage Remediation Study, Malvern Hills Coal Project, Canterbury

 

Bachelor of Science Honours in Environmental Science

  • Catherine McGuinness (2000) Acid Volatile Sulphide analysis and determination from three wetland sites
  • Laura Wharton (1999) Investigation of Sulphate Reducing Bacteria in the Constructed Wetlands at Tara Mines and of Environmental Factors Affecting Their Growth
  • Maeve Rafferty (1999) Fauna and Algae in an Artificial Wetland Treating Mine Tailings Water
  • Patrick Moran (1998) Retention of Heavy Metals and Sulphates by Artificial Wetlands at Tara Mines, Ireland

 Former Summer Students

  • Zhaoqi (Kaylee) Wu (2022-2023) Nutrient treatment using waste seashells
  • Campbell Stevens (2022-2023) 3D Printing waste seashells for wastewater treatment
  • Annika Gibson (2022-2023) Heavy Metal Adsorption using waste seashells
  • Lauren Gadd (2021-2022) 2nd Year Chemistry student and Pūhoro STEMM Academy, Water Wellbeing Framework & 3-D Printing
  • Gabby Rosemergy (2021-2022) 3rd Year Mechatronics, Virtual Reality story of the Clean Water Technology Project
  • Zane Goggins (2021-2022) 3D Printing biocarriers for wastewater treatment
  • Banon Hopman (2019-2020) Bachelor in Product Design, Prototyping the Storminator
  • Sergio Hansen (2019-2020) BE(Hons) graduate in Natural Resources Engineering, Monitoring and modelling treatment efficiencies in the Storminator™
  • Ting Powell (2013-2014) BE(Hons) candidate in Natural Resources Engineering, Modelling stormwater contaminants sources in urban catchments
  • Hui Lieu (2013-2014) BE(Hons) candidate in Natural Resources Engineering, Modelling stormwater contaminants sources in urban catchments
  • James Scouller (2012-2013) BE(Hons) candidate in Natural Resources Engineering, Monitoring hydrological and water quality budgets in living roof systems
  • Nathaniel Claridge (2011-2012) BE(Hons) candidate in Civil Engineering, Structural considerations for living roof technologies for the Christchurch Rebuild
  • Luke Edwards (2011-2012) BE(Hons) candidate in Natural Resources Engineering, Hydroecological considerations for living roof technologies for the Christchurch Rebuild
  • John Paterson (2008-2009) BA BSc, Community Education in Urban Catchment Management to Rehabilitate Downstream Waterways
  • Claire Shuker (2008-2009) BE(Hons) candidate in Natural Resources Engineering, Understanding the dynamics of contaminant transport from impermeable surfaces to urban waterways
  • Jenna Hutchinson (2007-2008) BE(Hons) candidate in Natural Resources Engineering, Sediment Autopsies of Engineered Treatment Bioreactor using Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • Nicola McHaffie (2006-2007) BE(Hons) candidate in Natural Resources Engineering, Geotechnical Analysis of Hydraulic Properties of Substrates for Engineered Treatment Wetlands at Stockton Mines, New Zealand
  • Ellie Taffs (2006-2007) BE(Hons) candidate in Natural Resources Engineering and Bachelors Law, Quantifying Stormwater Contaminants in Water and Sediments in the Okeover, Christchurch

Check out all CELTS activities