Drewes is Chair Professor of Urban Water Systems Engineering at the Department Civil and Environmental Engineering, TUM School of Engineering and Design, where he also serves as the Academic Program Director of the Environmental Engineering Program. He is an internationally recognized expert in advanced water treatment, emerging contaminants, water reuse, and public health protection. His research and scholarly activities are closely related to the common theme of energy efficient advanced water treatment systems and water recycling in the context of public health protection. Recognizing wastewater as a resource for water, energy and public health data is a guiding theme of his work. His current activities related to wastewater surveillance include not only direct exchanges with decision makers at the federal level, but also delivering talks to the general public. He has been a dedicated teacher to educate the next generation of engineers and scientists for more than 30 years.