November 17, 2005 Heinz Center Trustees Elect Dr. Rita Colwell
Dr. Rita Cowell
At its November 2005 meeting, the Heinz Center Board of Trustees unanimously elected Dr. Rita Colwell Chair. “We are delighted to have a person of Rita’s stature and talent to lead our Board. The Heinz Center begins our second decade this year and we are lucky to have Rita to lead the way,” said Teresa Heinz, Board of Trustees Vice Chair.
A leading environmental scientist, Dr. Colwell currently serves as chairman of Canon U.S. Life Sciences. Previously she was president of The University of Maryland’s Biotechnology Institute, where she remains a professor of microbiology and biotechnology. She has also held advisory positions with the federal government, private foundations and non-profit science policy institutions. “Rita’s distinguished career in science, environment and health will enrich The Heinz Center’s work and deliberations. We are very fortunate to have her succeed Bill Miller,” said Heinz Center President Tom Lovejoy.
Dr. Colwell’s accomplishments include serving as the first woman and first biologist to direct the National Science Foundation. In recognition of her contributions, she was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 2005.