Ngai Ning Cheng is a wastewater microbiologist with a PhD research background in reuse, risk management principles and wastewater treatment systems across South Australia and Victoria. He has dedicated much of his early career to nutrient and pathogen removal and validation of High Rate Algal Pond (HRAP), Community Wastewater Management Systems (CWMS). His work extends to nationwide sewage surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 (ColoSSoS Project), the Victorian Department of Health's Wastewater Surveillance project for SARS-CoV-2, EPA Victoria, Melbourne Water and now SA Water. He has worked as a postdoctoral research associate in Flinders University for 5 years, including laboratory, field-based pilot and full-scale WWTPs research working closely with Local Government Association of SA, SA Department for Health and Wellbeing, Australian Pork Industry, Pork CRC, & Australasian Pork Research Institute Ltd (APRIL). He has applied these skills to the COVID response in Victoria, using wastewater-based epidemiology and surveillance to provide an early adaptive warning system. This includes grab, composite, and passive samples to give early warning and evidence about the virus in circulation, its presence or absence, concentration trends, and variants of concern or interest through RT-qPCR and sequencing (CRISPR & Amplicon).He served as the Water Operations Lead at EPA Vic Water Sciences division, overseeing a team responsible for marine and recreational water quality monitoring, assessment, and reporting across the state. This includes delivering ongoing water programs including Beach Report, Yarra Watch and Marine Fixed Sites Network monitoring, aligning them to EPA’s strategic priorities to prevent harm to communities and the environment from pollution and waste.He has worked as the Sewage Quality Program Lead at Melbourne Water undertaking sewage quality and load service demand forecasting activities which underpin planning of both Eastern Treatment Plant & Western Treatment Plant augmentation projects, CAPEX & OPEX development, and support for pricing activities associated with financial regulatory period for Pricing Submission.He is currently working as the Lead Scientist, Environment and Wastewater at SA Water. His work includes the adoption of algal-based systems as cost-effective & low-carbon wastewater treatment solutions, monitoring greenhouse gas emissions specifically nitrous oxide and methane in different WWTPs, biofilm ARC ITTC, biosolids treatment techniques such as biochar and biocoal, SAAFE CRC antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and PFAS monitoring.