Juan Carlos Castilla

I pursue a holistic approach to water science, combining scientific tools and practical training to find solutions to current challenges in water resource management.

My research applies the science of complexity and systems thinking to better understand and manage the evolution of water and society. I use computers to build and experiment on artificial societies that simulate the interactions between humans, groundwater and ecosystems, with the aim of balancing the performance of these three components. Complexity suggests that intricate environmental problems often have very simple solutions. I search for these.

Armed with this simple idea, in the last few years I have been developing the concept of 'groundwater agent-based modelling' and water flight simulators, as well as software tools that can bridge the gap between science, policy and education.

Before pursuing a research career, I worked for government institutions, consulting companies and water utilities in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Here, I developed the skills to provide novel and robust solutions to many kinds of engineering problems.

My desire to innovate in the field and potential to lead and inspire others has been recognised internationally, with the grant of an AusAid Leadership Award in 2010.