Dr. Eline Boelee
Dr Eline Boelee is an all-round interdisciplinary scientist in water-health-ecosystems interlinkages, with thirty years of experience in research for development. Passionate about linking broad ranges of actors and disciplines to jointly develop science-based responses to global challenges, putting water at the centre and health as the ultimate development outcome.
Dr Boelee focusses on health impacts of water resources development. This includes impacts of agricultural, domestic and urban water use and management, floods, coastal areas and urban blue-green spaces; ecology and environmental control of water-related diseases; EcoHealth and One Health approaches; multiple use water services and links to drinking water supply and sanitation; the water-energy-food nexus; water quality; and ecosystem services in agroecological landscapes. She embraces an inclusive approach, considering vulnerability of specific age and gender groups facing environmental challenges and effects of climate change.
She has lived as a professional in Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, and Morocco, with additional on-the-ground scientific research experience in Azerbaijan, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Kenya, Mozambique, Pakistan, Senegal, Portugal Rwanda, and Uganda. Dr Boelee has led many international multi-disciplinary research projects on improved planning and management of water resources development to enhance health and environmental sustainability. She also serves as a part-time university lecturer, academic supervisor, and reviewer.
Link ORCID
Working experience
| 2021 - present | Deltares | Expert advisor Water & Health |
| 2017 - 2020 | Deltares | Senior advisor/researcher Water, Environment & Health |
| 2012 - 2016 | Water Health | Principal scientist/owner |
| 2006 - 2011 | International Water Management Institute | senior researcher water and health |
| 2002 - 2005 | International Water Management Institute | researcher water and health |
| 1999 - 2001 | International Water Management Institute | post-doctoral scientist/associate expert water and health |
| 1998 - 1999 | KLV Loopbaancentrum | assistant-researcher |
| 1997 - 1999 | Wageningen University | PhD student |
| 1994 - 1997 | Leiden University | scientific researcher |
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Scoping monitoring of coronavirus in wastewater in Peru
Peru, 2020-2021
Deltares in collaboration with KWR assesses the feasibility of a combined approach of monitoring, modelling and capacity building in Peru, supporting the future development of an early warning monitoring strategy for the city of Chiclayo.
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One Health PACT - Predicting Arboviruses Climate Tipping points
Netherlands, 2019-2024
The Netherlands, with its dense population of humans and livestock, international transport and travel hubs, and water-dominated landscape is particularly vulnerable to infectious disease outbreaks. The One Health Consortium aims to understand if and how changes in climate, farming, water management and travel lead to mosquito-borne disease outbreaks, to be better prepared.
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Seas, Oceans and Public Health in Europe (SOPHIE)
Europe, 2017-2020
The SOPHIE project has developed a road map for the next decade of research into the complex links between the marine environment and human health and wellbeing across Europe. This work has been funded by the EU's Horizon 2020 programme.
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Developing a roadmap for improving water quality of Lake Toba tourism destination, Indonesia
Indonesia, 2017-2018
A water quality roadmap has been developed that provides an understanding of the key drivers of water quality issues and investment scenarios to reduce nutrient loads from aquaculture, livestock, domestic waste, and other sources, into the lake.
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Biting the hand that feeds: anthropogenic drivers interactively make mosquitoes thrive.
Boerlijst SP, Johnston E, Ummels A, Krol L, Boelee E, van Bodegom PM, Schrama MJJ (2022) Biting the hand that feeds: anthropogenic drivers interactively make mosquitoes thrive. Science of the Total Environment 858(2
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Innovative actions in oceans and human health for Europe.
Pellens N, Boelee E, Veiga JM, Fleming LE, Blauw A (2021) Innovative actions in oceans and human health for Europe. Health Promotion International 1-11.
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Water and health: From environmental pressures to integrated responses
Boelee E, Geerling G, van der Zaan B, Blauw A, Vethaak AD (2019) Water and health: From environmental pressures to integrated responses. Acta Tropica 193: 217-226.
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Agricultural water pollution: key knowledge gaps and research needs
Evans AEV, Mateo-Sagasta J, Qadir M, Boelee E, Ippolito A (2018) Agricultural water pollution: key knowledge gaps and research needs. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 36: 20–27.
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Overcoming water challenges through nature-based solutions
Boelee E, Janse J, Le Gal A, Kok M, Alkemade R, Ligtvoet W (2017) Overcoming water challenges through nature-based solutions. Water Policy 19 (5): 820-836.
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Costs and benefits of using wastewater for aquifer recharge
Qadir M, Boelee E, Amerasinghe P, Danso G (2015) 9 Costs and benefits of using wastewater for aquifer recharge, p 153-167 in Drechsel P, Qadir M, Wichelns D (eds) Wastewater - economic asset in an urbanizing world. Springer Science and Business Media, Dordrecht.
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Mapping the potential human health implications of groundwater pollution in southern Sri Lanka
Rajasooriyar LD, Boelee E, Prado MCCM, Hiscock KM (2013) Mapping the potential human health implications of groundwater pollution in southern Sri Lanka. Water Resources and Rural Development 1-2: 27-42.
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Integrating human health into wetland management for the Inner Niger Delta, Mali
Cools J, Diallo M, Boelee E, Liersch S, Coertjens D, Vandenberghe V, Kone B (2013) Integrating human health into wetland management for the Inner Niger Delta, Mali. Environmental Science & Policy 34: 34-43.
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Managing water and agroecosystems for food security
Boelee E (ed) (2013) Managing water and agroecosystems for food security. Comprehensive Assessment of Water Management in Agriculture Series 10. CAB International, Wallingford, UK; International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Colombo, Sri Lanka; United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), Nairobi; 178p.
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Options for water storage and rainwater harvesting to improve health and resilience against climate change in Africa
Boelee E, Yohannes M, Poda J-N, McCartney M, Cecchi P, Kibret S, Hagos F, Laamrani H (2013) Options for water storage and rainwater harvesting to improve health and resilience against climate change in Africa. Regional Environmental Change 13 (3): 509-519.
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Early biting rhythm in the afro-tropical vector of malaria, Anopheles arabiensis, and challenges for its control in Ethiopia
Yohannes M, Boelee E (2012) Early biting rhythm in the afro-tropical vector of malaria, Anopheles arabiensis, and challenges for its control in Ethiopia. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 26: 103-105.
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Wastewater use in crop production in peri-urban areas of Addis Ababa: impacts on health in farm households
Weldesilassie AB, Boelee E, Drechsel P, Dabbert S (2010) Wastewater use in crop production in peri-urban areas of Addis Ababa: impacts on health in farm households. Environment and Development Economics 16: 25-49.
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The impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme on malaria transmission in Ziway area, Central Ethiopia
Kibret S, Alemu Y, Boelee E, Tekie H, Alemu D, Petros B (2010) The impact of a small-scale irrigation scheme on malaria transmission in Ziway area, Central Ethiopia. Tropical Medicine and International Health 15 (1): 41-50.
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Multiple use of water and water productivity of small dams in the Limpopo Basin, Zimbabwe
Senzanje A, Boelee E, Rusere S (2008) Multiple use of water and water productivity of small dams in the Limpopo Basin, Zimbabwe. Irrigation and Drainage Systems 22: 225-237.
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Cryptosporidium and Giardia infection and drinking water sources among children in Lege Dini, Ethiopia
Ayalew D, Boelee E, Endeshaw T, Petros B (2008) Cryptosporidium and Giardia infection and drinking water sources among children in Lege Dini, Ethiopia. Tropical Medicine and International Health 13 (4): 472–475.
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Multiple use of irrigation water for improved health in dry regions of Africa and south-Asia
Boelee E, Laamrani H, van der Hoek W (2007) Multiple use of irrigation water for improved health in dry regions of Africa and south-Asia. Irrigation and Drainage 56 (1): 43-51.
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Environmental control of schistosomiasis through community participation in a Moroccan oasis
Boelee E & Laamrani H (2004) Environmental control of schistosomiasis through community participation in a Moroccan oasis. Tropical Medicine and International Health 9 (9): 997-1004.
Activities
| Founding member of the Multi-Sectoral Working Group of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria |