College of Agriculture & Natural Resources Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Nishita D’Souza is an Assistant Professor-Research in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Michigan State University (MSU). Her research focuses on a One Health approach, applying culture and molecular based environmental and water quality monitoring tools to understand the burden of human pathogens; improve the safety of water, sustainability of resources and monitoring for public health impact.

Nishita earned her B.Sc., M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Mumbai, India. She has experience in developing, validating microbiological methods, and working with waterborne bacterial, viral, and protozoan pathogens particularly in water/wastewater with a focus on detection and treatment. As a Post-doctoral Research Associate and currently, Assistant Professor, Dr. D’Souza works with the Michigan Network for Environmental Health and Technology (MiNET) to support funding acquisition, method optimization, quality assurance procedures, laboratory training and troubleshooting, data analysis and dissemination. Nishita has collaborated with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) on implementing wastewater monitoring for viral pathogens of concern and their variants including SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, Norovirus, Respiratory Synctitial Virus (RSV), Antimicrobial resistance targets through droplet digital PCR and sequencing approaches, in Michigan, for the CDC-NWSS program. She has also supported the development of similar monitoring programs in Philadelphia, Louisiana and India since 2020. Her research also focuses on understanding sources of fecal pollution through Microbial Source Tracking. She has worked with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) and local stakeholders to apply molecular tools to study anthropological and agricultural effects on water which can be used to inform and protect public health. She is the recepient of the inaugural MSU Department of Fisheries and Wildlife Excellence Award (2021) and co-led the team that received the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources Impact Award (2023).

Dr. D’Souza is an experienced Microbiology instructor and has mentored students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has contributed to National and International consortiums to discuss and collaboratively build capacity at various forums including Wastewater SPHERE, NSF-RCN SARS-CoV-2 wastewater coalition, NIST working groups and various communities of practice such as APHL, PATH, New York Community of Practice. Nishita works with water utilities, industry clients, academic researchers, state entities, community stakeholders and global organizations to better understand water quality issues, driving solutions to mitigate health risks.