Boston, MA – April 8, 2026. The International Desalination and Reuse Association (IDRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Nidal Hilal, Director of the NYUAD Water Research Center and Global Network Professor at New York University, as Special Advisor to IDRA. 

Professor Hilal is one of the most influential researchers in the history of desalination and membrane science. Ranked first globally in nanofiltration and membrane distillation by Google Scholar metrics, second in reverse osmosis, and among the top 10 desalination researchers worldwide, he has authored more than 600 peer-reviewed publications, supervised 48 doctoral students and over 80 postdoctoral fellows, and is the most cited lifetime author in the journal Desalination. 

His distinctions include: 

• Kuwait Prize for Applied Science, awarded by the Emir of Kuwait (2005) 
• Doctor of Science (DSc), University of Wales, for outstanding research in water processing and membrane science (2005) 
• Menelaus Medal, Learned Society of Wales, for excellence in engineering and technology (2020) 
• GPID Global Prize for Innovation in Desalination, Advanced Water Production Technologies (2024) 
• Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher (2022 and 2024), top 1% of researchers globally 
• Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) 
• Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (FIChemE) 
• Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales (FLSW) 
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) and registered European Engineer (Eur Ing) 

His pioneering use of atomic force microscopy (AFM) to design and optimize membranes for complex separations has produced a series of firsts in the field, including the development of the smallest AFM colloid probe reported in the literature, the first direct measurements of interactions between live cells and membrane surfaces, and the first industrial-scale reverse osmosis module in the United Arab Emirates. 

“Professor Hilal’s contributions to membrane science and desalination research are unmatched,” said Shannon McCarthy, Secretary General of IDRA. “His appointment as Special Advisor strengthens IDRA’s capacity to bridge fundamental research and real-world water solutions. His expertise, and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of water scientists, align perfectly with IDRA’s mission.” 

Professor Hilal stated, “It is a privilege to join IDRA as a Special Advisor. I am committed to advancing research in water technologies—a field essential to the future of humanity.”

IDRA’s Board of Directors includes leaders from the public and private sectors, academia, and finance, representing a global network of more than 60 countries. The Association fully supports the UN Water Action Agenda, driving innovation and integration across the global water community. Established in 1973, IDRA holds UN ECOSOC and UNFCCC status, is a partner of UN Water and the FAO WASAG Program.