Chair of Canon US Life Sciences Inc. and Distinguished Professor, University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA.

Rita Colwell was Director of NSF between 1998-2004, and President of the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute between 1991-1998.  Her current posts include Chair of Canon US Life Sciences Inc. and Distinguished Professor both at University of Maryland and at Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Professor Colwell spoke on global infectious diseases, water, and health, and the international network she is developing to address emerging infectious diseases and water issues, including safe drinking water for both the developed and developing world at the Gender Summit 3 North America 2013 (GS3NA).