Behind every scientific achievement lies a complex journey, marked by trials, discoveries, and steadfast resolve. The career of distinguished University Professor Rita Colwell (@rcolwell2), of the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University, typifies the ups and downs of a great scientific journey: it began when very few women conducted research, and led her to become a world authority on cholera and director of the National Science Foundation. In this episode of Naturally Speaking Shorts, Taya Forde (@TayaForde) and Karen Hotopp (@KarenHotopp) catch up with her to talk about the impact of her work on water quality and the changing opportunities for women in science.
Colwell’s research showed that Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes the disease cholera, can lie dormant within zooplankton. Nathan Reading [CC BY-NC-ND 2.0], via Flickr.Episode 42: Against the Tide—A dialogue with Rita Colwell about shifting paradigms
Colwell speaking at the opening session for the 2010 Stockholm Water Prize, which she was awarded that year by the King of Sweden. waterworldweek [CC BY 2.0], via Flickr.Don’t forget you can subscribe to automatically receive all our latest content, or just our podcasts.
Intro and outro music sampled from: “The Curtain Rises” and “Early Riser” Kevin MacLeod [CC BY 3.0]