Jellison's Ph.D. dissertation is second best in her field.

Kristen Jellison, the P.C. Rossin Assistant Professor of civil and environmental engineering, has won second place in a national competition for best doctoral dissertation.

Jellison's dissertation - "Molecular and Genetic Analysis of Cryptosporidium spp. Oocysts: Sources and Genotypes in the Environment" - received second prize in the American Water Works Association's 2004 Academic Achievement Award competition.

Jellison's research interests focus on the prevention of waterborne disease through improved water treatment technology and a better understanding of microbial pathogen ecology.

Cryptosporidium, a species of protozoal parasites, causes acute gastrointestinal disease that can be life-threatening to people with weak immune systems. It is difficult to remove from water supplies because it resists disinfection and filtration. Outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis have occurred in the United States and around the world. The disease is transmitted by fecally contaminated food and water.

Jellison developed a sensitive and specific molecular detection assay for cryptosporidium species and applied it to surface water and fecal samples from the Wachusett Reservoir watershed, which is the source of drinking water for metropolitan Boston.

Jellison completed her dissertation and earned a Ph.D. in civil and environmental engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2003. She received a B.S. in the same field from Cornell University in 1997.

As a graduate student, Jellison received research fellowships from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.