Examine individual changes

'{{Infobox scientist |name = Rita R. Colwell |image = Rita Colwell.jpg |caption = Rita R. Colwell in 2011. |birth_date = {{b-da|November 23, 1934}} |birth_place = [[Beverly, Massachusetts]] |death_date = |death_place = |residence = |citizenship = |nationality = [[United States]] |alma_mater = [[University of Washington]] |doctoral_advisor = |doctoral_students = |known_for = |influences = |influenced = |ethnicity = |field = [[microbiology]] |work_institutions = [[National Science Foundation]], [[University of Maryland College Park]], [[Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health]] |prizes = }} '''Rita Rossi Colwell''' (born November 23, 1934 in [[Beverly, Massachusetts]]) is an environmental microbiologist and scientific administrator. Colwell holds degrees in bacteriology, genetics, and oceanography. And uses these degrees to study infectious diseases on a global scale and advance the global health initiative through her company, CosmosID, and her involvement with research, universities, and numerous scientific organizations and foundations. From 1998 to 2004 she was the 11th Director of the [[United States]] [[National Science Foundation]] <ref name=":1" />. ==Early Life and Education== [[Rita R. Colwell]] was born on November 24th 1934, in Massachusetts. Her parents, Louis and Louise Rossi, had eight children, Rita being the seventh child born into the Rossi household. Neither her mother nor her father were from scientific backgrounds. Yet from a very young age, Rita understood the importance of education and did exceptionally well on tests and schoolwork. Her focus on education led her to go against the mold, that is, during the 1950's she started her education in science rather than a more traditional female education such as home economics. In 1956, Rita obtained a B.S. in [[Bacteriology]] from [[Purdue University]]. She then went on to acquire her M.S in Genetics, again from Purdue University. Rita had considered attending a different university for her masters degree but in her final semester of undergraduate study at Purdue, she met and married Jack Colwell, a physical chemistry graduate student at Purdue University<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc3500/sc3520/011500/011592/html/11592bio.html#1|title=Rita Rossi Colwell , MSA SC 3520-11592|website=msa.maryland.gov|access-date=2016-09-23}}</ref>. Her final degree, a Ph. D., is from the [[University of Washington]] in the field of [[oceanography]]. She participated in a post-doctoral fellowship at the [[National Research Council of Canada]] in [[Ottawa]].These three degrees have allowed Dr. Colwell to pursue research in varying areas of interest.She is the recipient of 61 honorary degrees, including [[Honorary degree|Honorary Doctorates]] from the [[University of Notre Dame]] and the [[University of St Andrews]] in 2016. <ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/news/speeches/colwell/colwell_bio.jsp|title=US NSF - News - Rita R. Colwell, Biography|website=www.nsf.gov|access-date=2016-10-20}}</ref> Rita and her husband Jack have raised two daughters, both of whom followed their parents footsteps into their own scientific careers. == Research == Dr. Colwell is most notably recognized for her study of global infectious diseases through water sources and its impacts on global health. <ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=http://cbmg.umd.edu/faculty/ritacolwell/|title=RitaColwell - Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics|website=cbmg.umd.edu|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref> Through this research, she has developed an international network that has brought attention to the emergence of new infectious diseases in drinking/bathing water, pertaining mostly to its role on the developing world. In her early research and study of [[cholera]], Dr. Colwell made the important discovery that cholera can lay dormant in unfavorable conditions and then resume normal functions when conditions are favorable. <ref name=":1" /> This is an extremely important discovery when considering how to not only stop the spread of cholera but also how to eradicate it completely. Many of her research papers have been published with the intention of abating the spread of cholera in the developing world by developing ways to track its spread and researching inexpensive methods for filtrating out the infections agents of cholera in water systems. Some of these tracking methods include observing weather patterns, surface water temperatures, [[chlorophyll]] concentrations, and rainfall patterns. Upon conclusion of the [[Statistical significance|significant findings]] and [[Correlation and dependence|correlations]] between these pheromones, Dr. Colwell concluded that infection rates of cholera is connected to rising surface water temperatures, which in turn cause algae blooms that host cholera bacteria, and rainfall and extreme weather patterns aid in spreading infectious hosts of cholera among water systems.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Magny|first=Guillaume Constantin de|last2=Murtugudde|first2=Raghu|last3=Sapiano|first3=Mathew R. P.|last4=Nizam|first4=Azhar|last5=Brown|first5=Christopher W.|last6=Busalacchi|first6=Antonio J.|last7=Yunus|first7=Mohammad|last8=Nair|first8=G. Balakrish|last9=Gil|first9=Ana I.|date=2008-11-18|title=Environmental signatures associated with cholera epidemics|url=http://www.pnas.org/content/105/46/17676|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|language=en|volume=105|issue=46|pages=17676–17681|doi=10.1073/pnas.0809654105|issn=0027-8424|pmc=2584748|pmid=19001267}}</ref> Dr. Colwell also concluded that [[climate change]] will have a profound impact on the spread of cholera. However, her research also pertains to how people in the developing world can use inexpensive methods to filter water when water treatment facilities are not available. In one study spanning about 3 years, 65 villages in rural [[Bangladesh]] comprising of about 133,000 individuals, participated in an experiment in which they used folded [[sari]] cloth or nylon mesh filters placed over water pots to acquire safe drinking water from their local water ways. These inexpensive and readily available materials yielded a 48% reduction in cholera, when compared with the control (absence of any type of filter). <ref>{{Cite journal|last=Colwell|first=Rita R.|last2=Huq|first2=Anwar|last3=Islam|first3=M. Sirajul|last4=Aziz|first4=K. M. A.|last5=Yunus|first5=M.|last6=Khan|first6=N. Huda|last7=Mahmud|first7=A.|last8=Sack|first8=R. Bradley|last9=Nair|first9=G. B.|date=2003-02-04|title=Reduction of cholera in Bangladeshi villages by simple filtration|url=http://www.pnas.org/content/100/3/1051|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|language=en|volume=100|issue=3|pages=1051–1055|doi=10.1073/pnas.0237386100|issn=0027-8424|pmc=298724|pmid=12529505}}</ref> She has authored or co-authored more than 750 scientific reports and publications along with 17 books. <ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nationalmedals.org/laureates/rita-r-colwell|title=Rita R. Colwell|last=Ayala|first=Christine|date=2016|website=National Science and Technology Medals Foundation|publisher=|access-date=10/29/2016}}</ref> == Academia And Educational Outreach == Beyond her research, Dr. Colwell has a passion for teaching others. She returned to academic life in 2005 as a teaching professor, and is currently a professor at two teaching institutions including the [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland at College Park]] and [[Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health|The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health]]. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nist.gov/office-director/biography-rita-r-colwell|title=Biography of Rita R. Colwell|last=Corey|first=Pamela|date=2014-01-24|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref> At the University of Maryland at College Park, she is a distinguished Professor in the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS) which is part of the University's [[University of Maryland College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences|Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences]] department. Besides teaching college students, she is dedicated to the development of K-12 science and arithmetic education, and she is a huge proponents of increasing action of women and minorities in the fields of science and engineering <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.umiacs.umd.edu/people/rcolwell|title=Rita Colwell {{!}} UMIACS|website=www.umiacs.umd.edu|access-date=2016-09-13}}</ref> Dr. Colwell's involvement with [[National Science Foundation]] demonstrates this fact completely. She was the first female direction of the foundation and held this position from 1998-2004. <ref name=":2" /> Her involvement with the [[National Science Foundation]] has witnessed the idea that education is a fundamental right for all individuals. In a presentation to members of the foundation in 2002, she details what should be address by the foundation in the future. She explains that an educated society is critical not just for developing technology, but for supporting that development, both by the public and by government. The the presentation revolves around the idea that the foundation should be responsible for opening doors to higher education to everyone. The N.S.F. is responsible for giving from its budget $78 million in support of education and career development programs. A portion of this money is awarded to grant programs for graduate students perusing a degree in engineering and scientific fields. Another portion is given to fellowships and foundations that help bring graduate students together with K-12 students and their teachers to allow the access to labs from an early age. Dr. Colwell was responsible for doubling the funding to the NSF initiative ADVANCE, which is the advancement of women in academic science and engineering careers. Furthermore, it was Dr. Colwell's push to invest $60 million as part of a new priority area in mathematical and statistical sciences, because she understands the importance of mathematics in science yet has observed the decline in individuals seeking mathematics degrees over the past decade. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/news/speeches/colwell/rc020212naecolloq.htm|title=NSF - OLPA - NSF Director Rita R. Colwell's Remarks to The Engineering Deans Council Public Policy Colloquium, National Academy of Engineering, February 12, 2002|website=www.nsf.gov|access-date=2016-10-26}}</ref> Without Dr. Colwell's involvement in the NSF, concepts relating to youth education, women's advancement, and increasing grant money to graduate students would not have been considered until much later in the foundations initiative. In 1977, Dr. Colwell produced the award-winning film, ''Invisible Seas.'' In this 26 minute film, the [[microbiology]] department at the [[University of Maryland, College Park]] demonstrates what types of [[methodology]] are required of marine microbiologists when studying microorganisms in the ocean. They then go on to emphasize the importance of marine microbiologist studying microorganisms in the ocean in order to determine the impact pollution has had on our oceans. <ref>{{Citation|last=University of Maryland|first=College Park|title=Invisible seas|date=1977-01-01|url=http://www.worldcat.org/title/invisible-seas/oclc/19548735|last2=Department of Microbiology|last3=University of Maryland|last4=Office of University Relations|first3=College Park|publisher=The Office|language=English|accessdate=2016-10-26}}</ref> Dr. Colwell is the founding editor of GeoHealth, a new journal of the American Geophysical Society (2016). Dr. Colwell, along with other founding members of this publication, recognized the increase in published Geohealth research due to the advancement in our understanding of how Earth and space science provides deeper insight into health and disease in both people and ecosystems. Currently GeoHealth has not published a formal addition, yet expect to start accepting publications this fall (2016). <ref>{{Cite news|url=https://fromtheprow.agu.org/agu-expands-into-geohealth-starting-with-new-journal/|title=AGU Expands into Geohealth, Starting with New Journal|date=2016-08-11|newspaper=From The Prow|language=en-US|access-date=2016-10-21}}</ref> == Corporate Career == Besides these many distinguishing career paths, Dr. Colwell also founded a company called CosmosID in 2008, and is the active president <ref name=":2" />. CosmosID is a [[bioinformatics]] company dedicated to making the world a healthier and safer place by developing various types of equipment to identify microbial activity in a variety of ecosystems. In doing so, CosmosID ensures prompt, accurate responses, appropriate medical therapies, and corrective actions to prevent public health risks. <ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cosmosid.com/about-cosmosid/|title=CosmosID Founder Rita Colwell|website=CosmosID - Exploring the Universe of Microbes|access-date=2016-10-20}}</ref> In starting this company, Dr. Colwell has brought her research and education to the forefront of the cooperate world, and has applied them towards bringing to the public an education on microbial infectious agents and ways in which the world can combat these issues to prevent global outbreaks of infectious diseases. In 2004 Dr. Colwell left her position as director of the National Science Foundation to become the chief scientist at Canon U.S. Life Sciences, a division of [[Canon Inc.|Canon]]. Then in 2008, she claimed the position of chairman of Canon U.S. Life Sciences. == Organizations and Awards == * Activities in the [[International Union of Microbiological Societies]] from 1962-86 <ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=http://www.asm.org/index.php/component/content/article/71-membership/archives/8165-rita-colwell-papers|title=Rita Colwell Papers|website=www.asm.org|access-date=2016-10-20}}</ref> * Member of the [[National Science Board]] (1984-1990) <ref name=":2" /> * President of the [[American Society for Microbiology]] (1984-85) <ref name=":3" /> * President of the [[American Association for the Advancement of Science]] (1996) * 11th Director, of the [[United States]] [[National Science Foundation]], and the first women to hold this position (1998-2004). <ref name=":2" /> * [[National Medal of Science]] of the United States (2006) <ref name=":4" /> * In 2006, Dr. Colwell received the [[National Medal of Science]] from formed United States President [[George W. Bush]]. <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/recip_details.jsp?recip_id=5300000000436|title=The President's National Medal of Science: Recipient Details {{!}} NSF - National Science Foundation|website=www.nsf.gov|access-date=2016-10-21}}</ref> * The 2008 [[Leonard Brockington]] Visitor to [[Queen's University]]. * President of the [[American Institute of Biological Sciences]] in 2008 <ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.aibs.org/public-policy/news/rita_colwell_aibs_past_president_receives_mahathir_science_award.html|title=AIBS Public Policy Office {{!}} Rita Colwell, AIBS Past President, Receives Mahathir Science Award|website=www.aibs.org|access-date=2016-10-26}}</ref> * [[Stockholm Water Prize]] (2010) <ref name=":0" /> * Chair of the [[United States National Academy of Sciences|National Academy of Sciences]] Committee on Women in Science, Engineering and Medicine (2016) * The Mahathir Science Award (2016) <ref name=":6" /> * Member of the [[Academy of sciences|Academies of Science]] of Sweden, Canada, Bangladesh, India, and the United States * The [[American Academy of Arts and Sciences]] * The [[American Philosophical Society]] * [[Royal Society of Canada]].  * Maryland's Top 100 Women Hall of Fame <ref name=":5" />  * Awarded the [[Order of the Rising Sun]]-Gold and Silver Star-by the Emperor of Japan <ref name=":5" /> References'