National PFAS Conference Achievement Awards

National PFAS Conference 2026

June 8-10 | Tucson, Arizona
University of Arizona

Join us for the National 2026 PFAS Conference in the hidden gem in the desert. This conference series is uniquely designed to exchange information, provide support to PFAS-affected communities, and facilitate engagement across diverse sectors involved with PFAS to accelerate the protection of health and the environment. 

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National PFAS Conference Achievement Awards

Nomination Instructions for the National PFAS Conference Achievement Awards 

Presented by the National PFAS Conference Organizing Committee and National PFAS Contamination Coalition

Overview

The National PFAS Conference Achievement Awards recognize outstanding contributions to advancing PFAS understanding and health protective action. Recipients will be honored at the 2026 National PFAS Conference in Tucson, Arizona.

Nominations are open for three award categories:

  • Trailblazer
  • Humanitarian
  • Lifetime Achievement

Eligibility criteria: 

  • Open to individuals from all disciplines and sectors.
  • Nominee must have made substantial contributions to advancing PFAS understanding and health protective action.
  • Nominees can be broadly affiliated (e.g., academia, industry, government, law firm, nonprofit organization, PFAS-impacted community, etc.).
  • Self-nominations are not permitted.
  • Previous recipients of this award are not eligible. Prior awardees are listed at the bottom of this page.

Guidelines:

  • Nominees will be considered using only information requested in the form.
  • Nominees can be nominated by multiple individuals.
  • Individuals may submit one nomination per award.
  • Nominees not selected will also be considered the following year.

Submit a nomination using the respective online form linked below:

Nominations are due by January 9, 2026. 

Nominations will be reviewed and awardees will be selected by the National PFAS Conference Achievement Award Committee. 

Awardees will be selected, notified and announced by February 2026.

You can contact Courtney with any questions: carigna4@msu.edu 

Award Descriptions:

Trailblazer Award: The Trailblazer Award celebrates those pioneers who have demonstrated exceptional creativity, courage, and impact by forging a new path that challenged conventional thinking, opened new frontiers, and inspired transformative change in advancing PFAS understanding and/or health protective action. 

Nominees should:

  • Exhibit a sustained record of innovative and high-impact work.
  • Demonstrate leadership in initiating new directions or paradigms in their discipline.
  • Influence the broader community through mentorship, collaboration, or public engagement.
  • Embody the spirit of exploration and bold inquiry.

Humanitarian Award: The Humanitarian Award honors individuals whose PFAS work has profoundly advanced human welfare, social justice, and global well-being. This award recognizes those who apply their expertise, leadership, and compassion to address societal PFAS challenges and improve lives—especially among underserved or vulnerable populations. The purpose of this award is to celebrate individuals who exemplify the highest ideals of humanitarian service through research, advocacy, innovation, and/or action.

Nominees should demonstrate:

  • A sustained commitment to the betterment of humanity.
  • Impactful work that addresses critical PFAS issues in public health, environmental justice, food security, education, or human rights.
  • Leadership in community engagement, policy influence, or global collaboration.
  • A legacy of ethical responsibility, empathy, and inclusive practice.

Lifetime Achievement Award: The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a distinguished individual whose career has been marked by sustained excellence, groundbreaking discoveries, and enduring contributions to PFAS understanding and/or health protective action. The purpose of this award is to celebrate a lifetime of achievement and honor those whose work has inspired or trained generations and has left their positive impact or “legacy” on their respective field.

Nominees should have:

  • A minimum of 25 years of experience.
  • A career of exceptional accomplishments and influence.
  • Pioneering work that has had a lasting impact on PFAS understanding and health protective action.
  • Leadership in advancement through collaboration, mentorship, and service.
  • A legacy of integrity, curiosity, and commitment to advancing understanding and action on PFAS.

Prior Awardees 

Trailblazer Award:

Mark Strynar, Ph.D., Physical Scientist, U.S. EPA Office of Research and Development 

Gloria Post, Ph.D., Research Scientist, NJ Department of Environmental Protection (Retired)

Humanitarian Impact Award: 

Robert Bilott, Partner, Taft 

Lifetime Achievement Award: 

Alan Ducatman, M.D. MSc., Professor Emeritus, Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, West Virginia University

Helen Goeden, Ph.D., Senior Toxicologist/Risk Assessor, Minnesota Department of Health (Retired)

Andrew Lindstrom, Ph.D., Research Physical Scientist, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (Retired)

Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D. D.A.B.T., A.T.S., National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program Directory (Emeritus Director) 

Awards Ceremony Photos and Recordings:

2022 National PFAS Conference Award Presentation (photos below).

2024 National PFAS Conference Awards Presentation Recording: Strynar, Post, Ducatman, Goeden, Bilott

​Funding for this conference was made possible (in part) by 1R13 ES036079-01 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the NIH; nor does mention by trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.

This meeting is funded, in part, by the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences.

We are committed to fostering a culture of diverse and inclusive excellence in which persons of all identities and from all backgrounds feel welcomed, supported, and encouraged to engage in the free and open exchange of ideas. Our dedication to excellence means that attendees at this events can expect to experience a safe environment free of discrimination and harassment. Behaviors that do not uphold the highest standards of integrity and professional ethics are contrary to our mission and values. Sexual harassment, other forms of harassment, or sexual assault will not be tolerated. Individuals violating this policy are subject to immediate removal from the event.