Andrea Martinez – Uniting Passion and Profession: My Journey in Clean Water Innovation
“Everyone’s journey is shaped by unique passions and experiences that drive them forward. For me, water has been a constant thread, influencing my path and purpose. This is a little bit of my story—how my life experiences have guided me to where I am today and deepened my commitment to working towards solving one of today’s most vital challenges: access to clean water. How has water shaped your life?”
Growing up in Venezuela, I was made keenly aware of the scarcity of water and its limited access for the average person. According to the World Health Organization, in 2019, it was reported that 1 in 3 people did not have access to safe drinking water.[1] Thankfully, my family and I were privileged enough to have access to safe, clean drinking water, even when we moved back to our home country, Colombia. However, many people face significant challenges in securing this basic necessity.
During my time as a student at Louisiana State University, I pursued a degree in environmental engineering and became formally educated about the global challenges surrounding water quality and access. One course that left a profound impact on me was Water Treatment in Developing Countries. It highlighted the immense technological gap in the water sector between developed and developing nations and inspired me to dig deeper into solutions for these issues.
This led me to pursue a master’s degree, where I focused my research on UV-C LED water disinfection technology, working under Dr. Samuel Snow. I was captivated by the technology’s potential to make a tangible difference, especially in off-grid and underserved communities. In 2022, I had the opportunity to present some preliminary findings at the IUVA Americas Conference in Cincinnati. There, I connected with Oliver Lawal and learned about AquiSense and their innovative work in UV-C LED disinfection systems.
Fast forward to today, I have been working at AquiSense for almost 2 years. It’s been an incredible journey working alongside leading industry experts on projects I never imagined I’d have the chance to tackle—from working with NASA to addressing challenges in pharmaceutical processes. Yet, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my role has been contributing to the expansion of clean water access and equity in Latin America.
Last year, Bogotá, where I am from and where my family lives, experienced severe droughts that led to citywide water rationing. My family, like many others, relied on holding tanks for water storage, a common and essential practice to get through the allotted days without access to running water. While water conservation is essential, it comes with unintended consequences: the increased risk of waterborne illnesses. Storing water in tanks, especially over extended periods, creates conditions where pathogens can thrive, turning a lifeline into
a potential hazard. Untreated, stagnant water significantly increases the likelihood of contamination, putting families at risk of illnesses such as diarrhea, cholera, and other infections. Witnessing this challenge firsthand reinforced the importance of accessible water treatment solutions.
As an engineer at AquiSense, I realized I had access to technology that could help mitigate these risks. UV-C LED disinfection systems are highly effective at inactivating pathogens without the need for chemicals or complex infrastructure. After learning more about the growing concerns around water quality, I discussed with them the benefits of this technology and how an AquiSense system could provide an additional layer of safety for the home. When I went to my family’s home in Bogotá for Christmas last year, I brought an AquiSense PearlAqua Deca 24C4 with me. With the help of my uncle Fernando, we retrofitted the existing water storage system and installed the UV-C LED unit, providing the necessary disinfection for the home. It was a simple, yet impactful solution, and being able to directly help my family while also showcasing the potential of this technology in my home country made the experience incredibly meaningful.
The opportunity for this application of my education and professional experience to directly protect my family reinforced the core reasons I do this work. Providing my family with access to safe, clean drinking water felt incredibly rewarding, as it showed the real-world impact of UV-C LED technology. However, as fulfilling as this experience was, I am also keenly aware that millions of others are still facing similar challenges when it comes to accessing clean water.
At AquiSense Inc., we are dedicated to expanding the reach of UV-C LED technology and improving water quality for communities across Latin America and throughout the world, to make safe water more accessible and reliable for those who need it. As our technology continues to evolve and our presence in Latin America grows, we hope to help more families, like mine, have access to safe drinking water. Ultimately, our goal is to provide technology and awareness of solutions to empower communities and individuals with the tools they need to safeguard their health and well-being through better water management and disinfection practices.
Because everyone deserves access to safe, clean water.
[1] “1 in 3 People Globally Do Not Have Access to Safe Drinking Water – UNICEF, Who.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization,
www.who.int/news/item/18-06-2019-1-in-3-people-globally-do-not-have-access-to-safe-drinking-water-unicef-who. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.
Andrea and her uncle Fernando (left) and her father (right) installing the AquiSense PearlAqua Deca 24C4 in her family home in Bogotá, Colombia Dec 2024.
The water storage holding tank with new UV-C LED PearlAqua Deca 24C4 to disinfect the water at the point-of-entry.
