Dr. Joan B. Rose

Joan B. Rose holds the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research at Michigan State University and is the Director of the Water Alliance. She is a member of the National Academy of Engineering (2011) and winner of the 2016 Stockholm Water Prize. She was awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize in 2026.  Dr. Rose is an international expert in water microbiology, water quality and public health safety with over 300 publications.  She has been a member of IWA and the HRWM group (the precursor organizations) since 1985.  She was chair of the HRWM from 2007-2011 and served on the IWA board of directors.  In 2024 she was honored with the IWA’s Global Water Award for exceptional individuals who have changed industry norms to create lasting progress, recognizing leading water innovations driving impactful change and outstanding contributions toward a world in which water is wisely managed.