Rita R. Colwell

Rita R. Colwell is a distinguished microbiologist and scientist known for her work on infectious diseases and environmental microbiology. She played a key role in understanding how bacteria like Vibrio cholerae cause cholera and how it spreads through water. Colwell has contributed to developing methods to detect and prevent waterborne diseases, improving public health globally. She also held leadership positions at institutions like the National Science Foundation, promoting science and education. Her research has helped protect communities from outbreaks and advanced our understanding of microbes' roles in the environment.