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To mark Global Recycling Day, Heriot-Watt University has announced the appointment of Professor Gabriela Medero as a Hydro Nation Chair (HNC) Research Leader Fellow with the mission of Eliminating Carbon Emissions from Infrastructure.
The HNC programme, which is led by the University of Stirling, brings together four research leader fellowships. Covering different research areas, they are hosted at Scottish institutions including the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Glasgow Caledonia University, and the University of Strathclyde alongside Heriot Watt University.
Funded by Scottish Water through the Scottish Funding Council, the HNC programme is designed to enable Scottish Water and the wider water sector to transition beyond net zero by 2040. It will unite the sector by partnering research with industry, policy makers and communities to use water management to cut emissions, improve health and create new, greener infrastructures for a sustainable economy.
Professor Medero will apply more than fifteen years of dedicated research and experience in innovative circular construction materials made from recycled waste to the programme. Looking from the development to the long-term performance of these building materials to better support the world's net zero ambitions and preserve precious and finite raw materials, her fellowship will focus on eliminating carbon emissions from infrastructure investment.
Commenting on the appointment, Professor Gabriela Medero said: “We know that over 40% of the world's carbon emission come from the built environment and the construction and demolition sector is the largest contributor of waste globally. In UK alone, it is responsible for generating around 120 million tonnes of waste every year, over a third of UK's total. This requires change now.
“As a Hydro Nation Chair Research Leader Fellow, I will apply my extensive experience and understanding of building materials, waste processing, resource efficiency and infrastructure design to help cut emissions and embed circular economy practices throughout this initiative.”
Professor Medero is now actively seeking collaboration opportunities. If you work in the natural or built environment and would like to collaborate on a research or demo project to promote environmental sustainability in construction, please get in touch.