Henry Roman

Dr Henry Roman holds a PhD in biotechnology from Rhodes University, South Africa, specialising in the bioremediation of acid mine drainage. He has completed post-doctoral fellowships at Rhodes University and the CSIR, South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research. He has 14 years’ experience in the National System of Innovation in various roles with seven of these at the Department of Science and Technology (DST). 

Dr Roman has led the development of two road maps related to the green economy ambitions of South Africa, to guide research, development and innovation in the water and waste sectors. He is responsible for the development of the first dedicated degree in waste management in South Africa. He also commissioned the first Green Technology Landscape Report for South Africa conducted by ASSAf, as well as the first of its kind Green R&D Investment Survey conducted by TIPS. 

Dr Roman also has oversight of the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas (SARVA) which is an initiative of the DST. In partnership with SANBI he has established the RDI platforms for ecological infrastructure. He is the current chair of the IWA-SA, a division of the Water Institute of Southern Africa (WISA), in a voluntary capacity. When he was younger, he was the first Treasurer of the Young Water Professionals of South Africa (YWP-ZA), a division of WISA. 

Speaking at the following WCEF2019 sessions:

Monday 3 June at 14.30-16.00: Governance and circular economy roadmaps