American Microbiologist Wins 2026 Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize

Professor Joan Bray Rose recognized for pioneering Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) to safeguard global water quality and health

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:16am

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A highly structured, abstract painting in muted earth tones depicting sweeping geometric shapes, concentric circles, and precise botanical spirals, representing the complex scientific forces and concepts underlying Professor Rose's groundbreaking work on microbial risk assessment in water systems.A conceptual illustration of the scientific breakthroughs and global impact of Professor Joan Bray Rose's pioneering work on Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment, transforming water safety and public health worldwide.Orange Today

Professor Joan Bray Rose has been awarded the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize 2026 for her groundbreaking work in developing and globally implementing Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA), a science-based approach that has transformed the way we manage microbial risks in drinking water, wastewater, and water reuse systems worldwide.

Why it matters

Professor Rose's work on QMRA has had a profound global impact, enabling water utilities and regulators to proactively predict and prevent microbial contamination risks, rather than just reactively detect and correct issues. This has been critical in strengthening public health protections and boosting confidence in the safety of water supplies, including the viability of water reuse as a sustainable solution to global water scarcity.

The details

In the 1990s, Professor Rose pioneered QMRA after investigating a series of severe waterborne disease outbreaks in the US, including the 1993 Cryptosporidiosis outbreak in Milwaukee that sickened over 400,000 people. QMRA introduced a systematic, science-based approach to quantify microbial infection risks based on pathogen concentrations, exposure pathways, and consumption patterns. This shifted water management from reactive 'detect and correct' to proactive 'predict and prevent' strategies, revolutionizing water safety globally.

  • In the late 1980s and 1990s, Professor Rose led investigations into waterborne disease outbreaks across the US.
  • In the 1990s and early 2000s, Professor Rose pioneered the QMRA approach.
  • QMRA was widely adopted in drinking water regulations worldwide, including the US EPA's Safe Drinking Water Standards and the WHO's Drinking Water Quality Guidelines in 2004.
  • From 1998 to 2002, Professor Rose served on the NEWater Expert Panel in Singapore, providing guidance on water quality monitoring and safety.
  • From 2003 to 2019, Professor Rose chaired PUB's External Audit Panel, supporting the safe implementation of water reuse in Singapore.

The players

Professor Joan Bray Rose

The 11th recipient of the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, Professor Rose is the Homer Nowlin Chair in Water Research and Director of the Water Alliance at Michigan State University. She is widely regarded as one of the world's leading authorities in water microbiology and a key pioneer in the development and global adoption of QMRA.

PUB

Singapore's National Water Agency, which has worked closely with Professor Rose for over two decades to strengthen water quality and safety, including the advancement of NEWater, Singapore's third National Tap.

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What they’re saying

“I am deeply honoured to receive this esteemed award. This recognition reflects our collective progress in advancing microbial risk science and its role in protecting public health today. Safe water is one of the world's most fundamental yet unevenly distributed resource critical to sustaining human life.”

— Professor Joan Bray Rose

What’s next

Professor Rose will receive the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize - an award certificate, a gold medallion, and S$300,000 - at a ceremony on June 16, 2026, during the opening of the Singapore International Water Week 2026. She will also deliver a keynote lecture the same day.

The takeaway

Professor Rose's pioneering work on QMRA has revolutionized the way we manage microbial risks in water systems worldwide, enabling proactive prevention of waterborne disease outbreaks and boosting confidence in the safety and sustainability of water supplies - a critical achievement as cities face evolving public health and climate challenges.