Cobalt Water Global has offices in the US and Europe to bring AI/ML solutions for smarter and more sustainable water management across the globe.
Our Team
Jose Porro - CEO and Founder
Jose brings more than 20 years' experience working with drinking water and wastewater utilities for planning, modeling, design, and applied research. He has worked on projects in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Australia, and Asia. He is an expert in developing and implementing decision support frameworks integrating data, modeling, and artificial intelligence for sustainable water management.
Prior to starting up Cobalt Water Global, Jose was a research fellow in the European project, SANITAS www.sanitas-itn.eu, working with his host LEQUIA, a research group of the Universitat de Girona's Institute of the Environment, on artificial intelligence, decision support systems, and qualitative modeling applied to urban water systems across Spain and Europe. Prior to his stint overseas Jose was an international technical expert for the global engineering consultancy Arcadis, based in New York City, focusing on drinking water distribution modeling and wastewater process modeling and spearheading applied research efforts on sustainable water technology.
Externally, Jose is Chair of the International Water Association (IWA) Task Group on the use of Water Quality and Process Modeling for Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Footprints and a member of American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF). Jose is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of NY, holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Environmental Engineering from Wilkes University and Manhattan College, respectively, and is currently finishing a PhD, integrating AI and mathematical modeling for minimizing N2O emissions from WRRFs, within the BIOMATH research group of Ghent University's Faculty of Bioscience Engineering www.biomath.ugent.be. Viewed as a global leader in water artificial intelligence, sustainability, energy efficiency, and minimizing water GHG footprints, Jose is frequently invited to speak at local, national, and international conferences focusing on these topics.
Jose brings more than 20 years' experience working with drinking water and wastewater utilities for planning, modeling, design, and applied research. He has worked on projects in the U.S., Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Australia, and Asia. He is an expert in developing and implementing decision support frameworks integrating data, modeling, and artificial intelligence for sustainable water management.
Prior to starting up Cobalt Water Global, Jose was a research fellow in the European project, SANITAS www.sanitas-itn.eu, working with his host LEQUIA, a research group of the Universitat de Girona's Institute of the Environment, on artificial intelligence, decision support systems, and qualitative modeling applied to urban water systems across Spain and Europe. Prior to his stint overseas Jose was an international technical expert for the global engineering consultancy Arcadis, based in New York City, focusing on drinking water distribution modeling and wastewater process modeling and spearheading applied research efforts on sustainable water technology.
Externally, Jose is Chair of the International Water Association (IWA) Task Group on the use of Water Quality and Process Modeling for Minimizing Greenhouse Gas Footprints and a member of American Water Works Association (AWWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF). Jose is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of NY, holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Environmental Engineering from Wilkes University and Manhattan College, respectively, and is currently finishing a PhD, integrating AI and mathematical modeling for minimizing N2O emissions from WRRFs, within the BIOMATH research group of Ghent University's Faculty of Bioscience Engineering www.biomath.ugent.be. Viewed as a global leader in water artificial intelligence, sustainability, energy efficiency, and minimizing water GHG footprints, Jose is frequently invited to speak at local, national, and international conferences focusing on these topics.
Girum F. Wolde - Sustainable Water Technologist/ Process Engineer
Girum specializes in modeling (hydraulics/wastewater treatment process), water utility GHG accounting and mitigation, AI/N2O risk modeling, and sustainable water technology selection using the Novedar_EDSS. He also works on advancing Cobalt Water Global's TotalWATER AI products and services through R&D. Girum is also a Lecturer at Wachamo University, a founding member of "Green Hossana" a volunteer organization that strives to make the city green and clean, and is excited about helpiong to achieve sustainable, low-carbon, and climate resilient water and sanitation systems that encompasses a circular economy. Girum holds Master's degrees in Environmental Engineering (Addis Ababa University) and in Urban Water and Sanitation/Sanitary Engineering (UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education).
Girum specializes in modeling (hydraulics/wastewater treatment process), water utility GHG accounting and mitigation, AI/N2O risk modeling, and sustainable water technology selection using the Novedar_EDSS. He also works on advancing Cobalt Water Global's TotalWATER AI products and services through R&D. Girum is also a Lecturer at Wachamo University, a founding member of "Green Hossana" a volunteer organization that strives to make the city green and clean, and is excited about helpiong to achieve sustainable, low-carbon, and climate resilient water and sanitation systems that encompasses a circular economy. Girum holds Master's degrees in Environmental Engineering (Addis Ababa University) and in Urban Water and Sanitation/Sanitary Engineering (UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education).
Mickaël Tessier - Data Science and Product Lead
Mickäel has extensive experience as research scientist focusing on data ascience/data analysis and technology development. After obtaining his PhD in physics from Sorbonne University in Paris, he moved to Belgium where he started his research career at Ghent University. His natural curiosity and passion for science steered him to evolve in various fields such as quantum optics, inorganic chemistry, and nanotechnology. The quality of his research work has been illustrated in numerous publications and patents. Moreover, he developed the technology of an advanced materials start-up and has managed multi-million euros research projects involving companies and academic partners. In his current role, he is Cobalt Water Global's Data Science and Product Lead supporting R&D projects and developing AI and machine learning solutions for smarter and more sustainable water management.
Mickäel has extensive experience as research scientist focusing on data ascience/data analysis and technology development. After obtaining his PhD in physics from Sorbonne University in Paris, he moved to Belgium where he started his research career at Ghent University. His natural curiosity and passion for science steered him to evolve in various fields such as quantum optics, inorganic chemistry, and nanotechnology. The quality of his research work has been illustrated in numerous publications and patents. Moreover, he developed the technology of an advanced materials start-up and has managed multi-million euros research projects involving companies and academic partners. In his current role, he is Cobalt Water Global's Data Science and Product Lead supporting R&D projects and developing AI and machine learning solutions for smarter and more sustainable water management.
Julia Porro - AI Environmental Engineering Intern
Julia is currently an undergraduate Environmental Engineering student at Drexel University. Her current focus at Cobalt Water Global is on performing research and development tasks for predicting risk and emissions of nitrous oxide from water resource recovery facilities, as well as developing and applying AI and machine learning solutions for smarter and more sustainable water management. She is a member of the Drexel Women’s NCAA Division I Crew team, a Miami, Florida native, and has a passion for the ocean and the conservation of marine life by protecting the water environment.
Julia is currently an undergraduate Environmental Engineering student at Drexel University. Her current focus at Cobalt Water Global is on performing research and development tasks for predicting risk and emissions of nitrous oxide from water resource recovery facilities, as well as developing and applying AI and machine learning solutions for smarter and more sustainable water management. She is a member of the Drexel Women’s NCAA Division I Crew team, a Miami, Florida native, and has a passion for the ocean and the conservation of marine life by protecting the water environment.
Our Advisors / Scientific Collaborators
Prof. Ing. Ingmar Nopens - Business/Strategy Advisor
Ingmar holds a MSc in Bio-science Engineering and a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences from Ghent University (Belgium). He is full professor leading the BIOMATH research group at Ghent University, which deals with model-based system analysis and optimization. Applications are resource recovery and pharmaceutical engineering. He is a fellow of the International Water Association (IWA) since 2011, the outgoing chair of the Specialist Group: Modeling and Integrated Assessment (MIA) and member of the steering committee of the IWA Digitalization Programme. Furthermore he is co-founder of the UGent spin-off AM-Team providing advanced modeling services for the water and process industry.
Ingmar holds a MSc in Bio-science Engineering and a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences from Ghent University (Belgium). He is full professor leading the BIOMATH research group at Ghent University, which deals with model-based system analysis and optimization. Applications are resource recovery and pharmaceutical engineering. He is a fellow of the International Water Association (IWA) since 2011, the outgoing chair of the Specialist Group: Modeling and Integrated Assessment (MIA) and member of the steering committee of the IWA Digitalization Programme. Furthermore he is co-founder of the UGent spin-off AM-Team providing advanced modeling services for the water and process industry.
Ignasi Rodríguez-Roda Layret, Ph.D. - Scientific Collaborator
Ignasi is a pioneer in applying AI techniques to the wastewater field. He is an expert in knowledge-based systems, cased-based reasoning, environmental decision support systems, and other AI techniques. He is a full professor at the University of Girona and part of its LEQUIA research group. Research topics also include membrane bioreactors, micropollutant removal from wastewater systems, modelling of microbiological-related solids separation problems in activated sludge systems, and closing the water cycle in touristic facilities. Ignasi was also co-founder of SiSLTech, a spinoff valorizing AI research for intelligent control of wastewater treatment plants.
Ignasi is a pioneer in applying AI techniques to the wastewater field. He is an expert in knowledge-based systems, cased-based reasoning, environmental decision support systems, and other AI techniques. He is a full professor at the University of Girona and part of its LEQUIA research group. Research topics also include membrane bioreactors, micropollutant removal from wastewater systems, modelling of microbiological-related solids separation problems in activated sludge systems, and closing the water cycle in touristic facilities. Ignasi was also co-founder of SiSLTech, a spinoff valorizing AI research for intelligent control of wastewater treatment plants.
Joaquim Comas Matas, Ph.D. - Scientific Collaborator
Joaquim is another pioneer in applying AI techniques to the wastewater field. He is an expert in knowledge-based systems, fuzzy logic, data-mining, and other AI techniques. He is a full professor at the University of Girona and part of its LEQUIA research group. Research topics also include multi-criteria decision support for environmental systems, sustainable and integrated management of urban water systems, qualitative modelling, LCA and water footprint of urban water systems, modelling and control of wastewater treatment processes, and membrane integrated systems for water reuse. Joaquim was also co-founder of SiSLTech, a spinoff valorizing AI research for intelligent control of wastewater treatment plants.
Joaquim is another pioneer in applying AI techniques to the wastewater field. He is an expert in knowledge-based systems, fuzzy logic, data-mining, and other AI techniques. He is a full professor at the University of Girona and part of its LEQUIA research group. Research topics also include multi-criteria decision support for environmental systems, sustainable and integrated management of urban water systems, qualitative modelling, LCA and water footprint of urban water systems, modelling and control of wastewater treatment processes, and membrane integrated systems for water reuse. Joaquim was also co-founder of SiSLTech, a spinoff valorizing AI research for intelligent control of wastewater treatment plants.
Select publications and presentations:
Porro, J., De Mulder, C., Amerlinck, Y., Torfs, E., Balemans, S., Deeke A., Flameling, T., Weijers, S., Nopens, I., Rodriguez-Roda, I., and Comas, J. (2018). Integrating artificial intelligence and mathematical modelling for online supervision and control of water resource recovery facilities. In: Proceedings of 6th IWA/WEF Water resource Recovery Modelling Seminar (WRRmod2018), Lac Beauport, quebec, Canada 2018.
Bellandi, G., Porro, J., Senesi, E., Caretti, C., Caffaz, S., Weijers, S., Nopens, I. and Riccardo Gori. (2017). Multi-point monitoring of nitrous oxide emissions in three full-scale conventional activated sludge tanks in Europe. Water Sci. Technol., DOI: 10.2166/wst.2017.560.
Porro, J., Bellandi, G., Rodriguez-Roda, I., Deeke, A., Weijers, S., Vanrolleghem, P., Comas, J., and Nopens, I. (2017). Developing an artificial intelligence-based WRRF nitrous oxide mitigation road map: The Eindhoven N2O mitigation case study. In: Proceedings, 90th Annual Conference and Exposition of the Water Environment Federation (WEFTEC 2017), Chicago IL, October 1-4, 2017.
Bellandi, G., Porro, J., Caretti, C., Rodriguez-Roda I., Comas, I., Nopens, I., and Gori, R. (2016). Use of artificial intelligence for WRRF N2O model selection, based on real knowledge. In: Proceedings of 5th IWA/WEF Wastewater Treatment Modelling Seminar (WWTmod2016) France 2016.
Flores Alsina, X., Arnell, M., Amerlinck, Y., Corominas, L., Gernaey, K., Guo, L., Lindblom, E., Nopens, I., Porro, J., Shaw, A., Snip, L., Vanrolleghem, P. and Jeppsson, U. (2014). Balancing effluent quality, economic cost and greenhouse gas emissions during the evaluation of (plant-wide) control/operational strategies in WWTPs. Sci. Total Environ., 466-467, 616-624.
Guo L., Porro, J., Sharma, K., Amerlinck, A., Benedetti, L., Nopens, I., Shaw, A., Van Hulle, S.W.H., Yuan, Z., and Vanrolleghem, P.A. (2012). Towards a benchmarking tool for minimizing wastewater utility greenhouse gas footprints. Water Sci. Technol., 66(11), 2483 – 2495.
Gabarrón, S. Dalmau, M., Porro, J., Comas, J., Rodriguez-Roda, I. (2013). Optimisation of BNR and operational costs of a full-scale MBR through a model-based approach. The Chemical Engineering Journal, DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2014.12.097.
Porro J., Comas J., Rodriguez-Roda I., Pijuan M., Corominas L., Guo L., Daelman M., Volcke E.I.P., van Loosdrecht M.C.M., Vanrolleghem P.A., Nopens I. (2014). Risk assessment modelling of N2O production in activated sludge systems: Quality not Quantity. In: Proceedings of 4th IWA/WEF Wastewater Treatment Modelling Seminar (WWTmod2014), Spa 2014.
Porro J., Garrido-Baserba M., Milleri C., Rosso D., Sobhani R., Pons M.-N., Renzi D., Fatone F., Comas J., Poch M. (2014). A knowledge-based decision support tool for selecting Eco-wastewater treatment technologies in today’s global complexities. Keynote: 2nd IWA Specialist Conference on EcoTechnologies for Sewage Treatment Plants 2014 (EcoSTP2014), Verona 2014.
Milleri C., Porro J., Gori R., Rodriguez-Roda I., Comas J., 2014. Risk assessment modelling of N2O production for eco-activated sludge process optimization. In: Proceedings of 2nd IWA Specialist Conference on EcoTechnologies for Sewage Treatment Plants 2014 (EcoSTP2014), Verona 2014.
Porro, J., Quiroz, A., Parault, P., Walski, T., 2012. Towards an energy modeling tool for holistic water distribution system management. In: Proceedings of American Water Works Association (AWWA) Distribution Systems Symposium 2012, St. Louis MO, September 9 – 12, 2012.
Porro, J., Nopens, I., Li, H., Shaw, A., Yuan, Z., Wett, B., Kampschreur, M., Chandran, K., Murthy, S. Modelling N2O emissions in wastewater treatment – state of the art. In: Proceedings of 9th IWA Leading-Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies South Bank, Brisbane, Australia June 3 – 7, 2012.
Porro, J. Full-scale liquid nitrogen model calibration for WWTP N2O modeling. Presented at 3rd IWA/WEF Wastewater Treatment Modelling Seminar, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec, Canada, February 26 – 28, 2012.
Porro, J., DiSalvo, D., Becker, E., Husband, J. Assessing the impacts of dissolved organic nitrogen in wastewater effluent limits. Presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), New York NY, February 7-10, 2011.
Porro, J., Li, H., Chandran, K., Kampschreur, M., Yuan, Z., Liu, J.,Shaw, A., Wett, B., Murthy, S., and Nopens, I. The use of dynamic water quality and process models for minimizing wastewater utility greenhouse gas footprints. In: Proceedings of International Water Association (IWA) Water and Energy 2010 Conference, Amsterdam The Netherlands, November 10-12, 2010.
Porro, J. Balancing energy, operating costs, greenhouse gases, and water environment through a process modeling and ICA approach. In: Proceedings of International Water Association (IWA) Leading Edge Technologies 2010 Conference, Phoenix AZ, June 2 – 4, 2010.
Porro, J., Daw, J., Cotton-Leto, C., Amante, K. Sustainability in water treatment technology selection. Presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), New York NY, January 31-February 3, 2010.
Porro, J., Dubanowitz, N., Brown, J., Sharp, R. Method development for determining the biodegradability of dissolved organic nitrogen in the Stamford WPCA effluent. In: Proceedings, 81st Annual Conference and Exposition of the Water Environment Federation (WEFTEC 2008), Chicago IL, October 18-22, 2008.
Porro, J.C. Sanitary sewer modeling case study: Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority mall expansion sewer capacity analysis. Presented at the 80th Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), New York NY, February 4-6, 2008.
Porro, J., De Mulder, C., Amerlinck, Y., Torfs, E., Balemans, S., Deeke A., Flameling, T., Weijers, S., Nopens, I., Rodriguez-Roda, I., and Comas, J. (2018). Integrating artificial intelligence and mathematical modelling for online supervision and control of water resource recovery facilities. In: Proceedings of 6th IWA/WEF Water resource Recovery Modelling Seminar (WRRmod2018), Lac Beauport, quebec, Canada 2018.
Bellandi, G., Porro, J., Senesi, E., Caretti, C., Caffaz, S., Weijers, S., Nopens, I. and Riccardo Gori. (2017). Multi-point monitoring of nitrous oxide emissions in three full-scale conventional activated sludge tanks in Europe. Water Sci. Technol., DOI: 10.2166/wst.2017.560.
Porro, J., Bellandi, G., Rodriguez-Roda, I., Deeke, A., Weijers, S., Vanrolleghem, P., Comas, J., and Nopens, I. (2017). Developing an artificial intelligence-based WRRF nitrous oxide mitigation road map: The Eindhoven N2O mitigation case study. In: Proceedings, 90th Annual Conference and Exposition of the Water Environment Federation (WEFTEC 2017), Chicago IL, October 1-4, 2017.
Bellandi, G., Porro, J., Caretti, C., Rodriguez-Roda I., Comas, I., Nopens, I., and Gori, R. (2016). Use of artificial intelligence for WRRF N2O model selection, based on real knowledge. In: Proceedings of 5th IWA/WEF Wastewater Treatment Modelling Seminar (WWTmod2016) France 2016.
Flores Alsina, X., Arnell, M., Amerlinck, Y., Corominas, L., Gernaey, K., Guo, L., Lindblom, E., Nopens, I., Porro, J., Shaw, A., Snip, L., Vanrolleghem, P. and Jeppsson, U. (2014). Balancing effluent quality, economic cost and greenhouse gas emissions during the evaluation of (plant-wide) control/operational strategies in WWTPs. Sci. Total Environ., 466-467, 616-624.
Guo L., Porro, J., Sharma, K., Amerlinck, A., Benedetti, L., Nopens, I., Shaw, A., Van Hulle, S.W.H., Yuan, Z., and Vanrolleghem, P.A. (2012). Towards a benchmarking tool for minimizing wastewater utility greenhouse gas footprints. Water Sci. Technol., 66(11), 2483 – 2495.
Gabarrón, S. Dalmau, M., Porro, J., Comas, J., Rodriguez-Roda, I. (2013). Optimisation of BNR and operational costs of a full-scale MBR through a model-based approach. The Chemical Engineering Journal, DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2014.12.097.
Porro J., Comas J., Rodriguez-Roda I., Pijuan M., Corominas L., Guo L., Daelman M., Volcke E.I.P., van Loosdrecht M.C.M., Vanrolleghem P.A., Nopens I. (2014). Risk assessment modelling of N2O production in activated sludge systems: Quality not Quantity. In: Proceedings of 4th IWA/WEF Wastewater Treatment Modelling Seminar (WWTmod2014), Spa 2014.
Porro J., Garrido-Baserba M., Milleri C., Rosso D., Sobhani R., Pons M.-N., Renzi D., Fatone F., Comas J., Poch M. (2014). A knowledge-based decision support tool for selecting Eco-wastewater treatment technologies in today’s global complexities. Keynote: 2nd IWA Specialist Conference on EcoTechnologies for Sewage Treatment Plants 2014 (EcoSTP2014), Verona 2014.
Milleri C., Porro J., Gori R., Rodriguez-Roda I., Comas J., 2014. Risk assessment modelling of N2O production for eco-activated sludge process optimization. In: Proceedings of 2nd IWA Specialist Conference on EcoTechnologies for Sewage Treatment Plants 2014 (EcoSTP2014), Verona 2014.
Porro, J., Quiroz, A., Parault, P., Walski, T., 2012. Towards an energy modeling tool for holistic water distribution system management. In: Proceedings of American Water Works Association (AWWA) Distribution Systems Symposium 2012, St. Louis MO, September 9 – 12, 2012.
Porro, J., Nopens, I., Li, H., Shaw, A., Yuan, Z., Wett, B., Kampschreur, M., Chandran, K., Murthy, S. Modelling N2O emissions in wastewater treatment – state of the art. In: Proceedings of 9th IWA Leading-Edge Conference on Water and Wastewater Technologies South Bank, Brisbane, Australia June 3 – 7, 2012.
Porro, J. Full-scale liquid nitrogen model calibration for WWTP N2O modeling. Presented at 3rd IWA/WEF Wastewater Treatment Modelling Seminar, Mont-Sainte-Anne, Quebec, Canada, February 26 – 28, 2012.
Porro, J., DiSalvo, D., Becker, E., Husband, J. Assessing the impacts of dissolved organic nitrogen in wastewater effluent limits. Presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), New York NY, February 7-10, 2011.
Porro, J., Li, H., Chandran, K., Kampschreur, M., Yuan, Z., Liu, J.,Shaw, A., Wett, B., Murthy, S., and Nopens, I. The use of dynamic water quality and process models for minimizing wastewater utility greenhouse gas footprints. In: Proceedings of International Water Association (IWA) Water and Energy 2010 Conference, Amsterdam The Netherlands, November 10-12, 2010.
Porro, J. Balancing energy, operating costs, greenhouse gases, and water environment through a process modeling and ICA approach. In: Proceedings of International Water Association (IWA) Leading Edge Technologies 2010 Conference, Phoenix AZ, June 2 – 4, 2010.
Porro, J., Daw, J., Cotton-Leto, C., Amante, K. Sustainability in water treatment technology selection. Presented at the 82nd Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), New York NY, January 31-February 3, 2010.
Porro, J., Dubanowitz, N., Brown, J., Sharp, R. Method development for determining the biodegradability of dissolved organic nitrogen in the Stamford WPCA effluent. In: Proceedings, 81st Annual Conference and Exposition of the Water Environment Federation (WEFTEC 2008), Chicago IL, October 18-22, 2008.
Porro, J.C. Sanitary sewer modeling case study: Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority mall expansion sewer capacity analysis. Presented at the 80th Annual Meeting and Exhibition of the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), New York NY, February 4-6, 2008.