On behalf of the CHAS Awards Committee, it gives me great pleasure to announce to the Division Membership the winners of the 2021 ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety (CHAS) Awards.
Thank you to everyone who submitted nominations and suggestions, and to the Awards Selection Subcommittee members for evaluating the nominees!
Please join me in congratulating the following recipients, who will be recognized at the CHAS awards symposium in August at the Atlanta (and Online) National Meeting. More information about each of these awards can be found at DCHAS.org.
2021 Award Recipients
CHAS Lifetime Achievement Award
A lifetime of dedication and service to the American Chemical Society, the ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety, and the field of chemical health and safety
Robert H. Hill, Jr., Retired, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chemical and Physical Hazards Branch
The 2021 award is given in recognition of Bob's significant contributions to the ACS division of Chemical Health and Safety, the Committee on Chemical Safety, and the greater cause of lab safety culture and education.
CHAS Graduate Student Safety Leadership Award
Award given this year in honor of Sheharbano "Sheri" Sangji
Recognizing graduate student researcher or recent graduate (within 3 years of latest degree) who demonstrates outstanding leadership in the area of chemical health and safety in their laboratory or department. Award is dedicated each year to a different historical figure in chemical health and safety.
Graduate Student Team Recipients:
Jessica De Young, University of Iowa
Omar Leon Ruiz, University of California, Los Angeles
Sarah Zinn, University of Chicago
Cristan Aviles-Martin, University of Connecticut
The 2021 award is given in recogntion of these students' collective and individual contributions to the workshop "Empowering Academic Researchers to Strengthen Safety Culture" supported by ACS division of Chemical Health and Safety and for their role in developing and strengthening Laboratory Safety Teams (LSTs) at their respective institutions.
Laboratory Safety Institute Graduate Research Faculty Award
Recognizing graduate-level academic research faculty who demonstrate outstanding commitment to chemical health and safety in their laboratories.
Ian Albert Tonks, Ph.D., University of Minnesota
The 2021 award is given in recognition of Dr. Tonks' tireless advocacy for the promotion of a strong safety culture in his department, which he accomplishes through active involvement in the safety of his own research group, his service to the safety committee, and his support of the Joint Safety Team in his department.
SafetyStratus College and University Health and Safety Award
The most comprehensive laboratory safety program in higher education (undergraduate study only)
C. Eugene Bennett Department of Chemistry, West Virginia University
The 2021 award is given in recognition of this department's legacy of safety excellence under the leadership of their Director of Laboratory Safety, Barbara Foster, and for the department and school administration's support and commitment to student laboratory health and safety practice and education.
Howard Fawcett Award
Outstanding contribution to the science, technology, education and communication of chemical health and safety
Robert Toreki, Ph.D., Interactive Learning Paradigms, Incorporated (ILPI)
The 2021 award is given in recognition of Dr. Toreki's longstanding dedication to providing accessible, online health and safety education and championing the mission of the Division of Chemical Health and Safety.
Congratulations to this year's award winners!
Kimi Brown, NRCC-CHO, ARM, CSP
CHAS Awards Committee Chair 2021
https://dchas.org/chas-award-nominations/
-and also-
Sr. Lab Safety Specialist
University of Pennsylvania
