Welcome!

Karl G. Linden, Ph.D.Welcome from Karl G. Linden, Ph.D.

2013 has been a fruitful year for the IUVA.  Attendance at our meetings and conferences has increased, along with a greater demand for continuing education programs and workshops. In the past year, IUVA workshops and conferences have taken us around the world.  We have collaborated with the Chinese National Technical Committee of Ultraviolet Disinfection Standardization and Tsinghua University to promote healthy development at the Workshop on UV Disinfection of Drinking Water and Waste Water Treatment in Beijing, China; with Puerto Rico’s Professional College of Engineering and Land Surveyors (CIAPR) to host the UV Treatment of Water and Municipal and Industrial Applications Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to inspire high school seniors and college students to widen their knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math at NASA Space Science Day at Howard University in Washington, D.C. The EMEA Region of the IUVA partnered with TZW:DVGW-Technologiezentrum Wasser to produce a successful meeting and conference in Karlsruhe, Germany. And in September in Las Vegas, the Third Biennial World Congress gave tribute to our friend and colleague Dr. James Bolton, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his leadership in advancing knowledge and use of ultraviolet technology.

IUVA has been actively engaged in global discussions centered on public health and the environment, with a focus on water treatment, air quality, green technology and the utility benefits of UV technology. IUVA’s approach has become more strategic and more integrated, encompassing issues of economic development, workforce training and diversity to develop educational programs that broaden IUVA’s scope and relevance to national and international priorities. This has resulted in discussions with the IUVA to inform the Environmental Protection Agency and UN Global Mercury Partnership about use of mercury in UV products and economic implications of product restrictions; partnering with American Society of Civil Engineers for a series of webinars; and an opportunity with the National Science Foundation to launch an advanced technological educational program for UV technology in drinking water disinfection and wastewater reuse.

Thanks to tremendous efforts by our past-president Paul Swaim, the Executive Operating Committee, the Board of Directors, our talented Executive Director and our Regional Vice Presidents the IUVA’s impact has spanned education, research, policy, global economics and development –pushing IUVA to the forefront as the authority on issues related to ultraviolet technology, its application and regulation.

While celebrating the Association’s tremendous success, I look forward to greater opportunities in 2014. I am calling on you, our current leaders and membership, to lend your expertise, passion and support for new initiatives that engage industry, educators, policy makers, and potential members.

  • Participate in membership activities that call upon career researchers and experts to inspire new generations of technicians, researchers and engineers.
  • Join subject-matter experts to develop industry-driven curricula in UV applications, including water disinfection and wastewater reuse.
  • Contribute content to IUVA News to advance knowledge among researchers, academics, and practitioners. Inform policy and regulations that encourage the use of ultraviolet technologies, and 
  • Provide advocacy for the interests of member companies that use UV technologies and manufacture UV products.

Thank you for contributing to IUVA’s success. I look forward to working with you directly to advance our mission in the coming year.

Karl G. Linden, Ph.D.- President