Dr. Rita Colwell, Founding member of the 'Global Alliance Against Cholera', honored for her lifetime achievements in public health service and leadership

French Government recognizes long term U.S. advocate for clean water to prevent cholera epidemics.

Dr. Rita Colwell accepting her 'Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur' from the Ambassador of France, to the United States, Gerard Araud.

Surrounded by many long time colleagues at a special event on November, 20th, in the French Ambassador's Residence in Washington DC, Dr. Rita Colwell received from the Honorable Gérard Araud, Ambassador of France to the United States, the Légion d’Honneur from the Government of France. In his remarks, Amb. Araud recognized the many decades of Dr. Colwell’s humanitarian services in Africa and Asia in combatting cholera and other waterborne infectious diseases. Dr. Colwell, former Director of the National Science Foundation and contributor to many health focused scientific endeavors, maintains her current position as Director of the Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of Maryland, where she holds the prestigious title of Distinguished University Professor. Of particular importance in her many ongoing applied research activities is her participation in the Global Alliance Against Cholera and other water borne infectious diseases (GAAC), an activity sponsored by the Veolia Foundation, based in Paris, France.

 

Dr. Rita Colwell receiving congratulations from fellow G.A.A.C. Council members, John Oldfield, Dennis Warner and Antar Jutla