Prof. Ingmar Nopens holds a MSc in Bio-science Engineering and a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences from Ghent University. He is full professor leading the BIOMATH research group at Ghent University. His main interest lies in Mathematical modeling using different frameworks like biokinetics, computational fluid dynamics and population balance models and combinations thereof. The aim is to develop highly predictive models that can serve as digital twins. Application areas are resource recovery (drinking, process and wastewater) and pharmaceutical engineering. He is co-founder of 2 startups in the water digitalization area: AM-Team.com and cobaltwater-global.com. He is an IWA fellow since 2011, the outgoing chair of the Specialist Group: Modelling and Integrated Assessment (MIA) and member of the steering committee of the IWA Digital Water Programme which helps to facilitate the journey of the water industry towards digital uptake and integration into water services.