Professor TorOve Leiknes has been appointed the new director of the Water Desalination and Reuse Center (WDRC). Since June 2014, Dr. Leiknes has served as the center's interim director, following the retirement of Gary Amy and his subsequent appointment as an Emeritus Professor.

Dr. Leiknes joined KAUST in August 2013 as a professor of Environmental Engineering in the Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE) division. He brings with him extensive experience in the study of wastewater treatment and reuse including his pioneering work in the development of energy-saving hybrid membrane bioreactors.

Prior to KAUST, Dr. Leiknes was professor of Environmental Engineering at the Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, and a faculty member in Engineering Science and Technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim. He has held several significant leadership roles in Norway and within the international arena, including serving as President of the European Membrane Society and in leadership roles in large European collaborative research projects.

As center director, Professor Leiknes will help advance the center's mission to address regional and global water scarcity by focusing on the exploitation of impaired-quality water sources. In its first five years, the center has distinguished itself as a leader in water research from the laboratory to the pilot plant, and has hosted distinguished researchers and policy leaders from around the world. Dr. Leiknes' passion, leadership and commitment to this important area of research will be integral to advancing the mission and international presence of the center.