Meet the 2025 ISWA Young Professionals Group Leadership team!
Julio Veuthey
YPG Chair
YPG Chair: Julio Veuthey
Julio is a Project Manager in the Environment and Sustainability team of KEO, based in Dubai, with over 9 years of experience in waste management across Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Asia. He has worked with lenders, development banks, and government bodies. His expertise includes project management, waste strategies, plant design, and performance analysis. Julio is now expanding his skills to AI and Data Science to drive innovation in the engineering industry. He holds a Master’s in Sustainable Waste Management and Project Management from Spain and a Bachelor’s in Forestry Engineering.
Vice Chair: Kartik Kapoor
Hey everyone, I’m Kartik Kapoor! For the past decade, I’ve been diving deep into the world of waste management. I recently worked on ISWA’s CALC project, creating and implementing a methodology for circularity assessment for cities (check out the guidebook on ISWA website!), I work as an independent consultant and have tackled work in the sector from waste collection to EPR, and projects on research, planning and capacity building. On a personal note, I’m a proud home composter, turning kitchen scraps into compost in my terracotta pots. It’s hard work but so rewarding!
I am thrilled to be the new Vice Chair at ISWA YPG and connect with you all!
Kartik Kapoor
Vice Chair
Ashpreet Kaur
Working Group Research & Innovation
As a waste management enthusiast and scholar, I’ve spent over six years working toward zero waste. Growing up in India, I saw my parents clean up trash others had discarded, which deeply impacted me. This inspired me to focus on the behavioural and policy aspects of waste management, leading me to earn a PhD in environmental sociology from the University of Florida.
I’ve been part of ISWA YPG for four years, previously serving as Vice Chair for Online Discussion & Communications. Now, I co-lead the Research & Innovations group with my amazing colleague, Amani.
Beyond waste, I love travelling and exploring different cuisines—it’s a great way to experience new cultures and languages. Currently based in New York, I work on waste characterisation studies funded by the Department of Environment and Conservation.
If you’re curious about ISWA YPG, my work, or my favourite topic—travel—feel free to reach out. I’d love to connect!
Hey everyone, I am Dr. Amani Maalouf! I am a Senior Researcher at University of Oxford, where I lead waste management research. I hold a Ph.D. in Environmental and Water Resources Engineering and am also an Honorary Research Associate at Columbia University, USA.
With over a decade of experience, I have worked on international waste management and circular economy projects across Europe, North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia, collaborating with institutions like the World Bank, UNEP, UNDP, EIB, and the European Commission.
Within ISWA, I serve as Chair of the Research & Innovation Working Group and have been the Organizer and Chair of the ISWA YPG International Online Conference series for five consecutive years (2021–2025). This conference has grown into a key platform for young professionals in waste management, featuring expert discussions, technical sessions, and global networking opportunities.
Excited to connect with like-minded professionals passionate about sustainability, waste management, and climate action!
Amani Maalouf
Working Group Research and Innovation
Dennis Uyat
Working Group Awareness and Education
Dennis Uyat (they/them) is the Principal of Zero Waste Project, an independent consultancy with over 10 years of experience providing technical assistance and environmental education to public agencies, universities, and businesses with a focus on reuse, food recovery, composting and recycling.
They have co-organised numerous conferences, most recently with the Zero Waste USA National Zero Waste Conference from 2021-2024.
Dennis holds a B.A. in Geography from UC Berkeley, is a City of Berkeley Zero Waste Commissioner, and serves as Vice Chair on the ISWA YPG Awareness and Education Working Group.
Dennis enjoys hiking, playing guitar and reading.
I’m Shiza Aslam, an industrial ecology expert with over six years of experience in material accounting, just transition, and secondary resource management. My journey began in 2014 with ISWA’s Essay Competition, where I saw firsthand the devastating impact of inadequate End-of-Life waste management on waste pickers.
Passionate about social sustainability, public health, and inclusive waste policies, I’ve led research at Pakistan’s Circular Plastic Institute. Now, as doctoral researcher at Leiden University, I focus on the material stock–flow–service nexus and decent living.
Beyond my research, I’m a proud home composter, growing food, and meeting fellow waste enthusiasts.
Shiza Aslam
Laura Nelly Velasquez
Chair YPG Regional Chapter
Hi everyone! I am a scientific project manager in the solid waste management sector. My interest was sparked growing up observing the impressive work of recicladores in Colombia and seeing the landfill in my hometown grow over time.
Since then, I’ve become an environmental engineer and worked on projects across Latin America, Europe, and Asia, integrating behavior change insights with innovative waste strategies.
I joined ISWA YPG last year and am very excited to be the new chair of ISWA YPG’s local/regional chapter.
Beyond work, you’ll find me chasing adventure—rock climbing in the Alps or surfing rivers.
Hey everyone! I’m Cinthya Lara, an environmental engineer from Ecuador. In 2019, I moved to Germany to pursue an international master’s program at the University of Stuttgart, and I am now a doctoral researcher at the University of Rostock, focusing on waste management in agriculture.
I joined the Young Professionals Group (YPG) last year and am thrilled to take on the role of vice chair of the Career Development Group. I’m passionate about creating a supportive and empowering environment where YPG members can expand their professional skills, build meaningful connections, and learn from experts and mentors.
Cinthya Lara
Working Group Career Development
Adeline Mertenat
Hi everyone! I’m Adeline Mertenat, an environmental engineer who is passionate about trying to contribute to waste management issues worldwide. I have been working as project coordinator and researcher on solid waste issues in low- and middle-income settings over the last 9 years at the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag-Sandec). I am an active ISWA-YPG since 2016 in the Education and Awareness working group and since 2022, I had the chance to co-lead the Local & Regional chapter.
