Rose Lab Contact Information – Joan B. Rose, PhD

Director

Joan B. Rose, Ph.D.

Laboratory Director / Principal Investigator

Phone: (517) 432-4412
Email: rosejo@msu.edu

Assistant Research Professor

Nishita D’Souza, Ph.D.

Email: dsouzan1@msu.edu

Phone: (517) 432-8185
Fax: (517) 432-1699

Education:

Ph.D., Science & Technology (Water Microbiology), University of Mumbai, 2019.

M.Sc., Science (Microbiology), University of Mumbai, 2010.

B.Sc., Science (Microbiology), University of Mumbai, 2008.

Background and Research Interests:

Nishita D’Souza is an Associate Research Professor at the Water Quality, Environmental and Molecular Microbiology laboratory at Michigan State University. Nishita has a background in Water Microbiology and her doctoral work focused on evaluating bacterial surrogates for the validation of protozoa disinfection in ozone based water treatment systems. She has experience in developing microbiological methods and working with waterborne bacterial, viral and protozoan pathogens particularly in water and wastewater. Nishita is an experienced Microbiology Instructor and enjoys mentoring undergraduate and graduate students on various projects.

Nishita’s research at MSU focuses on Microbial Source Tracking to monitor river water quality. She is actively involved in the Waste Water Based Epidemiology surveillance studies for SARS CoV-2 virus lead by Dr. Joan Rose. Her research focuses on studying microorganisms through classical microbial culture based methods as well as advanced molecular methods such as qPCR and droplet digital PCR. Nishita works with Water utilities, Industry clients, Academic researchers and Global organizations to better understand water quality issues, in

Lab Staff

Rebecca L. Riggi, M.S.

Email: ivesrebe@msu.edu

Phone: (517) 432-8185
Fax: (517) 432-1699

Rebecca Riggi’s work involves detection of microbes in natural and built environments, with a focus on pathogenic organisms. Rebecca is a certified analyst for the detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in water. Rebecca frequently works with environmental consulting agencies on reduction assessments for current and planned treatment systems as well as with the community members, academic agencies, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations to help protect and improve water quality.