Bianca Chaves Receives Quentin Mees Research Award
Bianca Chaves receives the Quentin Mees Research Award at AZ Water 2026 (also pictured: Arthur Nunez).
Phoenix Convention Center, location of the AZ Water Annual Conference, April 2026
As reported on the Water Resiliency website, Bianca Miguel de Souza Chaves received the Quentin Mees Research Award at the AZ Water Association’s 99th Annual Conference & Exhibition. Dr. Chaves is the Water Resiliency Program Coordinator and Research Scientist at the University of Arizona’s WEST Center. The award recognized her publication “Extending the Life of Water Reuse Reverse Osmosis Membranes Using Chlorination,” co-authored with Mohammed Alhussaini, Varinia Felix, Luke Presson, Walter Betancourt, Kerri Hickenbottom, and Andrea Achilli. Their findings suggest that targeted chlorination could be used to extend the lifespan of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, reducing waste and lowering replacement costs while preserving water-treatment safety and performance.
The Quentin Mees Award highlights outstanding research contributions that advance the water industry and promote innovative solutions in water treatment and reuse.
AZ Water plays a key role in advancing water research and practice. Chaves’ recognition reflects both the impact of her team’s work and the continued leadership of the WEST Center in developing practical, high-impact solutions for water sustainability.