Siddhartha Roy

Siddhartha Roy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences within the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers University. His research focuses on water quality and treatment, public health, environmental epidemiology, and international development, with particular emphasis on lead contamination issues and the Flint Water Crisis. Dr. Roy earned his PhD from Virginia Tech and has established himself as a leading expert in drinking water safety and environmental justice.

His research interests center on understanding water infrastructure failures, developing solutions for lead contamination, and examining the public health implications of water quality issues. Roy employs a transdisciplinary approach that combines laboratory research, field studies, citizen science, and policy analysis to address complex water quality challenges, particularly in underserved communities and low-resource settings. His work bridges engineering, public health, and social sciences to create practical solutions for water safety issues.

Dr. Roy's publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to understanding lead contamination, corrosion mechanisms in water systems, and the public health impacts of water quality issues. His research shows a clear trajectory from technical investigations of water infrastructure failures to broader examinations of policy implications, ethical considerations in environmental engineering, and the psychological impacts of environmental crises. His work on the Flint Water Crisis has been particularly influential in shaping national conversations about drinking water safety.

• Virginia Tech 2017 Graduate Student of the Year
• Top 100 'Sustainability' papers of 2023
• Featured in Physics Magazine for highly cited work
• Featured in Mayo Clinic Press' 2024 Book 'The Nocebo Effect'
• Recognized as 'Rising Star of the Water Industry'
• Authored paper that became 'Most Read' in Environmental Engineering Science journal's history (250,000+ downloads)

Dr. Roy actively mentors students through research opportunities and has developed a 'Public Inspired Science' graduate training program. His laboratory receives funding from multiple sources including NIEHS, Rutgers SEBS, and USGS. He has been instrumental in connecting research findings to policy recommendations and public awareness through extensive media engagement, congressional testimony, and community outreach. His TEDxVirginiaTech talk 'Science in service to the public good' has garnered over 1.1 million views and exemplifies his commitment to applying scientific knowledge for societal benefit.