AIHA Named Awards

This award is the highest tribute paid to an AIHA member or team for distinguished and exemplary services in advancing the OEHS profession and unique technical and professional contributions made to support and advance the mission and vision of AIHA National.

This year’s recipients are John R. Mulhausen, PhD, CIH, CSP, FAIHA, and Michele M. Twilley, DrPh, CIH.

Dr. Mulhausen and Dr. Twilley are recognized for their work on the Advancing OEHS Science and Practice through four key initiatives. Their efforts have significantly furthered AIHA’s mission to empower professionals to protect workers and communities from occupational and environmental hazards using the application of scientific knowledge. 

Simon J. Smith, PhD
Nominated by Charles R. Manning, PhD, CIH, FAIHA

Simon J. Smith is recognized as one of the most influential scientists in respiratory protection from 1985 to 2025. After four years of post-doctoral research, he led teams for over 30 years in developing groundbreaking respiratory protection devices and standards. He pioneered new classes of CBRN filters for first responders, designed advanced respirator filters, and established Canada’s largest filter test laboratory. 

In addition to his technical achievements, Dr. Smith has advanced the profession through dedicated service and mentorship. He has held leadership roles in professional organizations, created vital training programs, and advised governments, industry, and professionals worldwide. As a founding member of the International Society for Respiratory Protection, he continues to shape the field. His development of the “Simon Says” database, cataloging known national and international respirator test standards, exemplifies his enduring impact.

The Edward J. Baier Technical Achievement Award recognizes an individual or individuals whose technical accomplishments have made substantial, leading-edge contributions to the field of OEHS through technical expertise, innovations, research, scientific advancements, and interaction with or influence on other scientific disciplines.

Michael A. Jayjock, PhD, FAIHA
Nominated by Robert A. Nocco, MS, DABT, CIH, CSP, RRPT; AIHA Exposure Assessment Strategies Committee; Thomas W. Armstrong, CIH (Retired), PhD, FAIHA; Frederick W. Boelter, CIH, PE, BCEE, FAIHA; William Bullock, DHSc, MSPH, CIH, CSP, FAIHA; Joseph Damiano, MS, CIH, CSP, FAIHA; Andrew A. Havics, CIH, PE, FAIHA; and Steven D. Jahn, MBA, CIH, FAIHA 

Mike Jayjock has been a prolific contributor to the field of occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) for decades. His career began in the 1970s as a plastics engineer, where he helped solve critical workplace exposure issues, sparking his lifelong dedication to industrial hygiene and risk assessment. He played a key role in developing foundational resources, including AIHA’s A Strategy for Occupational Exposure Assessment and the Risk Assessment Principles for Industrial Hygienists, and has been deeply involved with related committees since the 1990s. Mike has authored over 40 peer-reviewed articles, contributed to the development of exposure modeling software, and served on numerous panels for government agencies, trade associations, and AIHA volunteer groups. His collaborative work with organizations, including The LifeLine Group, and his influence on advancing Total Worker Health® exemplify his broad impact on the profession.

Beyond his technical contributions, Dr. Jayjock has demonstrated a strong commitment to education and knowledge transfer. He has served as a lecturer or instructor for universities, including Drexel, Temple, and the University of Pennsylvania, and has taught professional development courses for AIHA conferences. 
 

The Donald E. Cummings Memorial Award for Outstanding OEHS Practice recognizes individuals who make outstanding contributions to the knowledge and practice of the OEHS profession through demonstrating practical application of OEHS knowledge, advancing the practice of Total Worker Health, expanding the profession through active collaboration via alliances and partnerships, and creating tools applicable beyond the OEHS profession.

Lester Claravall

For nearly three decades at the Oklahoma Department of Labor, Lester Claravall has been a driving force in protecting working children. He pioneered innovative partnerships, programs, and publications to educate employers, schools, parents, and teens about workplace rights and safety. Claravall played a key role in developing the award-winning youth employment game "Paying Attention Pays," now used in more than 100 Oklahoma schools and in North Carolina, as well as launching the nationally recognized teen video contest "Speak Out for Workplace Safety," which empowers students to create public service announcements promoting job safety. As a state partner with NIOSH, Claravall helped revise the Talking Safety curriculum for nationwide use and spearheaded the passage of the first law requiring workplace safety education for all Oklahoma students in grades 7–12. His leadership in research, legislation, and national organizations has driven major reforms in child labor laws and workplace safety education.

The Alice Hamilton Award for Social Responsibility distinguishes individuals who have recognized and addressed the diverse needs of the workforce by developing and advancing the practice of social welfare and responsibility through public service, community service, and non-traditional social reform, thereby making a major impact on and improvement of public welfare.

Neva Jacobs, DrPH, MSPH, CIH
Nominated by Thales Cheng, MPH, CIH; Shannon H. Gaffney, PhD, MHS, CIH, FAIHA; Megan Canright Racicot, MPH, CIH

Dr. Jacobs’ career is distinguished by her commitment to addressing public health challenges, especially for workers who lack in-house industrial hygiene support. She has led and published impactful research on issues such as air monitoring for fenceline communities, VOC exposures in nail salons, noise exposures in urban settings, and silica exposures in construction. Her expertise helped develop COVID-19 guidance for small businesses, and she has served as a health liaison at her local elementary school and as an active member of the NIOSH NORA council, focusing on worker health in underserved sectors.

Beyond her technical skills, Jacobs is deeply engaged with the IH community: she participated in the Futures Leaders Institute, volunteers for AIHA committees, mentors young professionals, and supports local chapter activities. 

The Kusnetz Award for Outstanding Achievement by an Early Career Professional honors an industrial hygienist under the age of 40 and currently employed in the private sector who shows promise for leadership in the profession. The Kusnetz Award is sponsored by Florence Kusnetz.

Kang "Erik" Chen, PhD, CHMM
Nominated by Michael A. Jayjock, PhD, FAIHA and John R. Mulhausen, PhD, CIH, CSP, FAIHA

Dr. Kang Chen is a distinguished leader in Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS), recognized internationally for his scientific research, technical consulting, and advocacy. He has played a pivotal role in shaping OEHS policy and legislation, notably as a commission member of China’s National Technical Committee on Chemical Safety, where he oversaw the review and approval of more than 80 new codes and regulations. Dr. Chen’s expertise is further demonstrated through his work as an invited auditor and tutor at East China University of Science and Technology, and through his influential roles with organizations such as ACS, AIHA, ASHRAE, BOHS, IChemE, and NSC. His leadership has earned him prestigious awards, including the ACS Postdoctoral Scholars Recognition Program Award and the ACC Responsible Care® Chairman Award.

Beyond regulatory and academic achievements, Dr. Chen is a prolific contributor to international projects and knowledge exchange. He has published more than 25 peer-reviewed research papers, contributed to technical publications and guidelines, and served as a peer reviewer and editorial board member for leading journals in the field. He has coauthored chapters in influential OEHS publications, supported the development of exposure risk assessment tools, and provided key translations for international resources. Dr. Chen’s collaborative spirit has reinforced connections between industry, academia, and professional societies, making lasting contributions to the advancement of OEHS practices worldwide.

The Yant Award for Outstanding International Service recognizes outstanding contributions in OEHS or allied fields through academic research, teaching/ education, and/or professional practice to professional societies reflective of a global perspective.