Dr. Colwell is a distinguished University Professor at University of Maryland, College Park and Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health. She is a chairman emeritus at Canon US Life Sciences, Inc., and president and chairman of CosmosID, Inc. She was featured in the book Lessons Learned: Stories from Women Leaders in STEM by Dr. Deborah Shlian.  Dr. Colwell's life’s work has been focused on global infectious diseases, water, and health. She developed an international network to address emerging infectious diseases and water issues, including safe drinking water for both the developed and developing world.