ProfessorMichael Templeton

Professor Templeton's research focuses on addressing engineering and public health challenges related to water supply and sanitation.


RESEARCH TOPICS AND FUNDING

In reverse chronological order:

'Can Tiger Worms Degrade Helminth Eggs in Faecal Sludge and Therefore Produce Safe Compost Within Composting Toilets?', Imperial-Africa Research Partnerships Fund, M.R. Templeton (PI), Z. Mekonnen, 2026. 

Global Development Lab ODA Project Accelerator grant, to support sanitation research with partners in Ethiopia, M.R Templeton (PI), 2026.

'Building a Regional Platform for Assessing WASH Technologies for Market Readiness and Scalable Implementation in India and Nepal', Imperial Global Connect Fund, M.R. Templeton (PI), M. Sogani, S. Tripathi, S. Mehta, others, 2025-2026.

'Climate Change Resilient Equitable Healthy Cities in Africa (CLARITY-Africa)', Wellcome Trust, M. Ezzati (PI), M.R. Templeton, others, 2024-2030.

'School-Led Total Sanitation-PLUS: Towards a Positive, Local/Logical, Usable and Sustainable Approach for Control of Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis', Research Foundation - Flanders, B. Levecke (PI), M.R. Templeton, others, 2024-2027.

'Translating Sanitation Research to Action: Resource Recovery from On-Site Sanitation Systems in Rwanda and Uganda', UKRI Impact Acceleration Account internal award (EP/X52556X/1), M.R. Templeton (PI), G.D. Fowler, M.E. Koulouri, 2024.

Research England International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) ODA Project Accelerator grant, to support knowledge transfer activities relating to pyrolysis research with partners in Uganda, Rwanda and South Africa, M.R. Templeton (PI), M.E. Koulouri, G.D. Fowler, 2024-2025.

Research England International Science Partnerships Fund (ISPF) ODA Project Accelerator grant, to support field research in Sierra Leone and India, M.R. Templeton (PI), 2024. 

'Enhancing the Learning Model and Opportunities for University Engineering Education (ELMO) in Partnership with Industry, UK and Regional Universities', Royal Academy of Engineering Higher Education Partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa project, K. Mansaray (PI), M.R. Templeton, others, 2024-2025.

'The Development and Validation of a Latrine-Based Surveillance System to Monitor and Evaluate Soil-Transmitted Helminthiasis Programs', Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, B. Levecke (PI), M.R. Templeton, others, 2023-2024.

'Research-Led Master's Education at the University of Rwanda', Imperial-ARUA Education Fund, M.R. Templeton (PI), J.F. Mukerabigwi, 2023-2024. 

'Oxfam and Water For People / Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair in Global Sanitation Technology', Royal Academy of Engineering, M.R. Templeton (PI), 2022-2027.

'Exploratory Research and Knowledge Exchange Regarding the Environmental and Human Behavioural Contexts of Schistosomiasis Infection in the Lake Victoria region of Tanzania', Research England Global Challenges Research Fund, M.R Templeton (PI), A. Pitol Garcia, 2020. 

'Integrated Research into Utility Services and Improving the Urban Environment', Royal Academy of Engineering Higher Education Partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa project, K. Mansaray (PI), M.R. Templeton, others, 2019-2021.

'Understanding and Managing the Risk of Water-Related Diseases Under Hydro-Meteorological Extremes', Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) grant reference NE/S003053/1, Z. Zulkafli and W. Buytaert (co-PIs), M.R. Templeton, A. Mijic, others, 2019-2021.

'Pathways to Equitable Healthy Cities', Wellcome Trust, M. Ezzati (PI), M.R. Templeton, others, 2018-2022.

'WISER: Water Infrastructure for Schistosomiasis-Endemic Regions', EPSRC Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) grant reference EP/P028519/1, M.R. Templeton (PI), S.M. Kinung'hi, F. Beshah, A. Emery, P.S Freemont, F.E. Allan, 2017-2021.

'WISER: Water Treatment Information for Schistosomiasis-Endemic Regions', Royal Society-Royal Society of Chemistry International Exchanges Award, M.R. Templeton (PI), F. Beshah, 2017-2019.

'Water and Sanitation Interventions for Prevention of Schistosomiasis', Merck KGaA contribution to PhD studentship in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Civil Engineering, M.R. Templeton (PI), 2016-2020.

'Water and Sanitation Engineering Solutions for Controlling Schistosomiasis', EPSRC Global Challenges Research Fund project via institutional sponsorship award EP/P510798/1, M.R. Templeton (PI), 2016-2017.

'Intermittent Water Supplies in Cities in Developing Countries', EPSRC Global Challenges Knowledge Exchange project via institutional sponsorship award EP/P510798/1, M.R. Templeton (PI), 2016-2017.

'Schistosomiasis Elimination Demonstration Project', Global Schistosomiasis Alliance, J. Grimes (PI), M.R. Templeton, others, 2016.

'TWENTY 65: Tailored Water Solutions for Positive Impact', EPSRC grant reference EP/N010124/1, J. Boxall (PI), M.R Templeton, N. Graham, others, 2016-2021.

'Waterhubs: Modular Infrastructure for Urban Slums', EIT Climate KIC SME voucher, S. Saraf (PI), M.R. Templeton, 2015.

'Delivering Water Security for All during Shale Gas Production', Innovate UK / Technology Strategy Board, D. Arscott (PI), O. Holmstrom, M. Casey, C.C. Took, A. Babatunde, M.R. Templeton, 2015.

'EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering for the Water Sector', EPSRC grant reference EP/L015412/1, P. Jeffrey (PI), D. Savic, J. Shucksmith, J. Amezaga, M.R. Templeton, 2014-2022.

'Minimising Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water', Anglian Water, M.R. Templeton (PI), 2013-2016.

'Computational Chemistry to Elucidate NDMA Formation in Drinking Water', EPSRC National Service for Computational Chemistry Software, T. Bond (PI), M.R. Templeton, 2013-2014.

'The Sustainable Onsite Sanitation (SOS) Project: Research and Capacity-Building in Sanitation Engineering in West Africa', Royal Society-Department for International Development, M.R. Templeton (PI), S. Faye, J.-P. Jourda, M. Boukari, 2013-2014.

'Quantitative Evaluation of the Effect of Improved Water, Sanitation and Hygiene on Schistomiasis Re-infection Following Mass Drug Administration', Wellcome Trust Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF), M.R. Templeton (PI), W. Harrison, 2012-2015.

'Reaction Products from the UV Advanced Oxidation of Recalcitrant Micro-pollutants in Drinking Water', Wetsus and Anglian Water, L. Hernandez Leal (PI), N. Graham, M.R. Templeton, others, 2012-2016.

'Impact of Climate Change on Surface Water Quality and Drinking Water Treatment', Grantham Institute for Climate Change, N. Graham (PI), J. Clark, C. Freeman, T. Bond, M.R. Templeton, 2012-2015.

'Biodesalination: From Cell to Tap', EPSRC grant reference EP/J004871/1, A. Amtmann (PI), L. Lawton, C.A. Biggs, J. Amezaga, M.R. Templeton, 2011-2014.

'Treatment and Beneficial Reuse of Produced Waters Using a Novel Pervaporation-Based Irrigation Technology', Research Partnerships to Secure Energy for America (RPSEA), J. Brant (PI), M.R. Templeton, 2011-2014.

'Monitoring of Nitrogenated Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water', Defra, M.R. Templeton (PI), N. Graham, R. Kanda, 2011-2012.

'Dolphin-Skin Ultra-Smooth Pipes: Using Cutting-Edge Chemistry and Biomimicry to Drastically Reduce the Energy Requirements of Water Transmission', Imperial-UCL Kick-Start programme, M.R. Templeton (PI), A. Wills, 2011.

'Nitrogenous Disinfection By-Products in Drinking Water: Occurrence and Formation', Malaysia-Imperial Doctoral Programme, M.R. Templeton (PI), H.A. Aziz, 2010-2013.

'Next Generation Onsite Sanitation Technologies for Developing Countries', subcontract via Sanitation Ventures / LSHTM, S. Sugden (PI), W. Gibson, C. Furlong, M.R. Templeton, others, 2010-2012.

'Meeting the Challenges of Microbial Pathogens in Drinking Water with Chemical-Free Disinfection Processes', EPSRC Stream IDC and Hanovia/Berson UV Ltd, M.R. Templeton (PI), 2010-2014.

'Review of the Current Toxicological and Occurrence Information Avaliable on Nitrogen-Containing Disinfection By-Products', Defra, M.R. Templeton (PI), M. Nieuwenhuijsen, N. Graham, 2009-2010.

'Stream - Skills, Technology, Research and Management: An Industrial Doctorate Centre for the Water Sector', EPSRC grant reference EP/G037094/1, P. Jeffrey (PI), D. Butler, D. Savic, R.M. Ashley, A. Saul, N. Graham, M.R. Templeton, T. Curtis, 2009-2018.

'Towards Zero Bacteriological Failures in Distribution Systems', EPSRC Stream IDC and Severn Trent Water, C.A. Biggs (PI), M.R. Templeton, 2009-2013.

'Ensuring Cryptosporidium-Free Drinking Water Using Ultraviolet Disinfection', EPSRC Stream IDC and Trojan UV Technologies, M.R. Templeton (PI), 2009-2013.

'The Formation and Occurrence of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and Other N-Nitrosamines in UK Drinking Water', EPSRC grant reference EP/F001940/1, M.R. Templeton (PI), 2007-2010.

'Development of an Appropriate Safe Drinking Water Supply System for Slum Dwellers and Squatters in Nepal', British Council-DFID DelPHE programme, M.R. Templeton (PI), S. Tripathi, 2007-2010.

'The Formation and Occurrence of Haloacetic Acids in Drinking Water', EPSRC grant reference EP/D502411/1, N. Graham (PI), M. Nieuwenhuijsen, C. Collins, M.R. Templeton, 2005-2009.


RESEARCH STUDENTS

Current PhD students:

Mengru Qiu, Additives for slower filling of onsite sanitation systems

Yogesh Janardhan Badekar, Tiger Worm Toilets: user satisfaction and safety

Adhin Harum Wulaningtyas, Modelling particle removal in septic tanks 

Amelia Rupp, Detection of schistosome cercariae in water

Ashley Yu, Modelling the impact of water supply intervention options on social inequality

Former PhD/EngD students:

Lindsay Todman, PhD completed 2013, Modelling irrigation by pervaporative water transfer

May Sule, PhD completed 2013, Salt and contaminant removal by pervaporative water treatment

Kate Ellis, EngD completed 2014, registered at the University of Sheffield, Towards zero bacteriological failures in water distribution networks

Ian Mayor-Smith, EngD completed 2015, Improved methods for quantifying polychromatic UV disinfection dose

Nurul Hana Mokhtar Kamal, PhD completed 2015, Nitrogenous disinfection by-products in drinking water - occurrence, formation and control

Jack Grimes, PhD completed 2016, The impact of water, sanitation and hygiene on schistosomiasis

Jonny Ritson, PhD completed 2016, The impact of climate change on surface water quality and drinking water treatment

Sofia Semitsoglou-Tsiapou, PhD completed 2017, By-products of UV advanced oxidation

Chrissa Sfynia, PhD completed 2018, Minimising regulated and unregulated disinfection by-products in drinking water

Wan Norazrina Wan Rusli, PhD completed 2018, Plant-derived biocides for water treatment and other hygienic applications

Acile Hammoud, PhD completed 2019, Modelling and controlling nitrate pollution of groundwater by pit latrines in developing countries

Rosi Destiani, PhD completed 2019, Occurrence and control of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in water supply systems

James Blyth, PhD completed 2019, Biochemical methods for estimating online UV disinfection dose

Liliane Auwerter, PhD completed 2020, Low-energy water transmission in pipelines by hydrophobic coatings

Laura Braun, PhD completed 2021, The effectiveness of water treatment processes against schistosome cercariae

Benedict Krueger, PhD completed 2021, Novel methods for treating pit latrine sludge

Lucinda Hazell, PhD completed 2022, Ultraviolet disinfection of schistosome cercariae in water

Laure Sioné, PhD completed 2022, Citizen science for assessing the causes, characteristics, and costs of water supply intermittency in developing countries

Jacob Doku Tetteh, PhD completed 2023, registered at the University of Ghana, Geographical inequalities in access to drinking water sources in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Ghana

Chotiwat Jantarakasem, PhD completed 2024, Novel low-cost methods for measuring drinking water turbidity

Maria Koulouri, PhD completed 2025, Resource recovery from pyrolysis of faecal sludge

Jiaodi Zhang, PhD completed 2025, The role of soap in schistosomiasis prevention

Aiman Uteyeva, PhD completed 2026, Septic tank microbiology and performance in cold climates 


RESEARCH STAFF

Dr Zhuo Chen, 2007-2009

Dr Tom Bond, 2009-2014

Dr Claire Furlong, 2011-2012

Dr Lindsay Todman, 2013*

Dr Jack Grimes, 2016-2017

Dr May Sule, 2018-2020

Dr Ana Pitol Garcia, 2019-2021*

Dr Laure Sioné, 2022-2025

Dr Pepe Puchol-Salort, 2023-2025

(*independently sponsored researcher)