Giasmin: “Developing solutions for contaminants of emerging concern”

Giasmin Cecconi is a researcher at the SMAT Research Center in Turin in Italy. She is working on innovative solutions for water decontamination and monitoring within European and national projects. She is passionate about addressing the challenges of contaminants of emerging concern and is committed to advancing practical solutions that safeguard both the environment and public health. Her main activities include testing and validating new technologies in pilot plants with the aim of developing innovative technologies that can then be applied at real scale.

What is your current work position?

“I am currently a researcher at the SMAT Research Center. SMAT is the integrated water service provider for the Metropolitan area of Turin. I am involved in several projects focused on innovative solutions for water decontamination and monitoring. My work is at European and national scale and includes testing and validation of innovative technologies in pilot plants, contributing to the demonstration of large-scale solutions for wastewater decontamination. In addition to research activities, I conduct analyses of drinking water and participate in the company’s carbon footprint calculation.”

Can you describe one of your work days?

“I have the opportunity to manage my time based on the various tasks and deadlines I have. Indeed, I participate in several national and international projects, and I conduct specialized analyses of water quality parameters. Therefore, every day is different from the next depending on the needs and the status of the projects. My working day could be in the laboratory, in the office, or in the field. To manage all my tasks, I prioritize them and coordinate with my colleagues to complete them.”

What do you consider the most interesting part of your job?

“The most interesting part of my job is having the opportunity to address problems faced by the integrated water sector at both a national and international level, with the goal of safeguarding the environment and providing the most sustainable and high quality services possible to the population.”

What is a topic that you see as increasingly important in the water sector?

“In light of growing concerns about Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CoECs) in the environment and increasingly stringent European limits on these contaminants in water, the most important part is to support, from an end-user point of view, technology providers in developing and validating innovative technologies under real conditions for their initial installations, with the aim of developing technologies that can then be brought to the market and applied at real scale.”

What do you expect from international cooperation?

“Thanks to international cooperation, it is possible to assess the challenges posed by European legislation and collaborate on developing and testing innovative solutions for monitoring and remediating CoEC’s.”

Why are you joining EJWP?

“I joined EJWP because it is part of a European project that I am working on. It is a unique opportunity to collaborate with other young professionals in the water sector and exchange knowledge and soft skills that are useful in both professional and personal life.”

What and where did you study?

“I have a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Perugia and a master’s degree in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Turin. As a research fellow at the University of Turin, I conducted research in the water sector, focusing on innovative agricultural techniques such as using reclaimed wastewater for irrigation.”