Water Science, Technology and Policy’s Dafne de Brito Cruz has been recognized with a Student Merit Award at the 2024 Society for Risk Analysis (SRA) Annual Meeting in Austin, Texas. Her research presentation, Unseen Assumptions Can Lead to Unseen Risk: Unveiling the Effect of the Independence Assumption in Drinking Water QMRA, was featured in the Water and Risk session, where she explored how hidden statistical assumptions in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA) can lead to unintended risks in drinking water safety.
Dafne’s work, co-authored with Dr. Philip J. Schmidt and Dr. Monica B. Emelko, challenges the common assumption of independence in QMRA models, highlighting its potential to underestimate risks in waterborne disease transmission. By identifying and addressing these overlooked assumptions, her research contributes to more accurate risk assessments and safer drinking water systems.
The Student Merit Award is given to outstanding student presentations that advance risk analysis research and practice. This recognition underscores Dafne’s contributions to the field and her commitment to improving public health through rigorous scientific inquiry.
Congratulations, Dafne!
