Aging infrastructure, climate change, and an increasing demand for water reuse are exacerbating microbial risks in water systems—especially from opportunistic pathogens.

In order to improve drinking water quality and reduce the risk of waterborne disease, Dr. Dowdell is advancing our understanding of how microbial communities behave in complex water environments, from large-scale treatment plants to our infrastructure’s aging plumbing systems.

By combining engineering solutions with microbiological insight, she aims to develop monitoring tools and treatment strategies that are both scientifically rigorous and practically implementable. Her research not only protects public health but also supports utilities in making data-driven decisions that improve water system performance and resilience.

Our department is proud to welcome Dr. Dowdell as a new Assistant Professor. Her work integrates microbiology, microbial ecology, and environmental engineering to better understand and manage aquatic microbial communities. She employs both traditional microbiological techniques and advanced molecular tools—including DNA sequencing, qPCR, flow cytometry, and fluorescence microscopy—to investigate the presence and behavior of pathogens in water systems.

Dr. Dowdell is particularly interested in collaborative research that bridges engineering and health sciences. She is eager to partner with University of Utah Health as part of the One U initiative, and is actively seeking opportunities to work with water utilities and researchers across the Mountain West. Her goal is to develop practical, science-based solutions that improve water safety and resilience in both urban and rural communities.

Before joining the University of Utah, Dr. Dowdell was a postdoctoral scholar at the University of Texas at Austin, supported by the prestigious NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (2023). She earned her Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Michigan, where she focused on drinking water treatment strategies and pathogen management.

Dr. Dowdell also brings valuable industry experience, having worked for five years in environmental engineering consulting in California. As a licensed Professional Engineer in the state, she contributed to the design and operation of advanced water reuse and drinking water facilities.

With a strong foundation in both research and practice, Dr. Dowdell is poised to make significant contributions to the department and the broader water research community.