Miriama Narayan: The Future Smells Great for Wastewater Research (even though it stinks)!

<p dir="ltr">My PhD research involves analysing wastewater from around Aotearoa; specifically, 21 Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTP). So far, my PhD research has identified for the first time (globally) a biomarker for human prostate health and prostate cancer in NZ’s wastewater. </p><p dir="ltr">My image depicts me in a wastewater pond collecting a ‘poop’ sample (not real, thankfully). Although I do not literally jump into wastewater ponds to get samples, I thought the image depicts the excitement and humour of analysing wastewater well. Wastewater-based Epidemiology (WBE) is still a relatively new technology, with enormous potential. The world has only recently realised we can detect cancer and other disease biomarkers from our wastewater. Although wastewater research is not the most glamorous (it still stinks), the future smells great for wastewater research!</p>