A.P. Black Research Award

History of the A.P. Black Research Award

A.P. and Charles Black both dedicated their lives to supplying people with clean, reliable water. Learn more about their dedication, impact and history in the 2020 connections article Humble scientist still impacting water treatment, 40 years after death.

2021 Recipient

Issam Najm, California–Nevada Section

The recipient of the 2021 A.P. Black Research Award is Issam Najm. He is the founder and president of Water Quality & Treatment Solutions Inc. (WQTS), a consulting firm that heavily involves research in its core work. He also is an adjunct associate professor at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, and a master’s degree and PhD in environmental engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Over the past 30 years, Najm has focused his career on strengthening the bridge between the science and engineering of water treatment. 

Through 21 peer-reviewed publications and 10 technical reports, his work demonstrates a passion and ability to advance knowledge of water treatment using innovative applications of fundamental principles. 

His research has dealt with water treatment challenges related to hexavalent chromium, perchlorate, disinfection byproducts such as N-nitrosodimethylamine, cyanotoxins, disinfection, biological denitrification, heavy metals removal, and optimal use of activated carbon. 

The high quality of these publications and presentations has been recognized by our profession and has firmly established him as one of the applied-research leaders of our profession.

Purpose of the award: This award was established in 1967 in honor of Dr. A. P. Black to recognize outstanding research contributions to water science and water supply rendered over an appreciable period of time.

The award: An A.P. Black Research Award Plaque.

Frequency of the award: As deserved, but not more than once each year.

Eligibility for the award: Individual members of AWWA, excluding current members of the Water Science & Research Division Board of Trustees, are eligible. Organizations are not eligible, nor are previous recipients of the award.

Entry requirements: Each nomination should include the following:

• The nominee's full name, title, mailing address and telephone number.
• The year the nominee became an AWWA member.
• A summary of the nominee's professional experience.
• A summary of the nominee's professional service, especially to AWWA.
• A summary of the nominee's previous professional recognition (awards, honors, etc.).
• A statement (two pages maximum) describing the principal contributions of the nominee and the significance of those contributions to the water works industry.
• A complete resume, including a description of the nominee's educational background and a listing of publications related to the nominee's significant contributions.
• Signed statements from at least two seconders (preferably not from the nominator's or the nominee's organizations) testifying to the significance of the cited contributions.

Nomination procedure: Nominations for the award will be solicited by mailing a notice to sections, divisions, councils, and other individuals or groups within AWWA. Nominations may be submitted by AWWA members, sections, committees, divisions, or councils. Nominations will be considered valid for a period of three years. Self-nominations will not be accepted. Send nomination package to American Water Works Association, Attn: Executive Dept., 6666 W. Quincy Ave., Denver, CO 80235.

Nominating or submission deadline: Nominations must be received by October 1 to be assured of receiving full consideration.

Award committee membership: The award committee shall be the Water Science & Research Division Board of Trustees. Current members of the award committee are not eligible for the award.

Method of selecting award recipient: The selection committee shall review the nominations at its fall meeting and shall select, from among those candidates who are qualified, the individual judged to be most deserving of the award. The committee shall then submit the name of the individual to the Board of Directors for approval at its winter meeting.

Presentation of the award: The award will be presented during the American Water Works Association Annual Conference and Exposition.

Past Recipients

2020
Dr. Paul Westerhoff,
Arizona Section

2019 
Dr. David Reckhow 
New England Section

2018 
Dr. Charles N. Haas 
Pennsylvania Section

2017 
Dr. Gary L Amy 
South Carolina Section

2016
Dr. Michelle Prevost 
Quebec Section 

2015
Dr. Mark W. LeChevallier 
New Jersey Section 

2014
Dr. Jennifer L. Clancy 
New England Section

2013
Dr. R. Scott Summers
Rocky Mountain Section

2012
Steve Hrudey
Western Canada Section

2011
Michael A. Schock
Ohio Section

2010
Dr. R. Rhodes Trussell 
California-Nevada Section

2009
Michael McGuire
California-Nevada Section

2008
Peter Huck
Ontario Section

2007
Stuart Krasner
California-Nevada Section

2006
Francis DiGiano
North Carolina Section

2005
David A. Cornwell
Virginia Section

2004
James K. Edzwald
New England Section 

2003
Thomas J. Sorg
Ohio Section

2002 
Irwin “Mel” Suffet
California-Nevada Section

2001 
Mark D. Sobsey
North Carolina Section

2000
Gary S. Logsdon
Ohio Section

1999
Desmond F. Lawler
Texas Section

1998
Benjamin W. Lykins Jr.
Ohio Section

1997
Charles P. Gerba
Arizona Section

1996
Robert C. Hoehn
Virginia Section

1995
Philip C. Singer
North Carolina Section

1994
Appiah Amirtharajah
Georgia Section

1993
Robert M. Clark
Ohio Section

1992
No Award Given

1991
Walter J. Weber Jr.
Michigan Section

 1990
Charles R. O'Melia, 
New England Section    

1989
Perry L. McCarty
California-Nevada Section

1988
Vernon L. Snoeyink
Illinois Section

1987
Russell F. Christman
North Carolina Section

1986
No Award Given

1985
Robert A. Baker
Alabama-Mississippi Section

1984
Edwin E. Geldreich
Ohio Section

1983
J. Edward Singley
Florida Section

1982
John L. Cleasby
Iowa Section

1981
James M. Symons
Ohio Section

1980
Francis M. Middleton
Florida Section

1979
Aaron A. Rosen
Ohio Section

1978
E. Robert Baumann
Iowa Section

1977
Richard L. Woodward
New England Section

1976
Herbert E. Hudson Jr.
Florida Section

1975
Kenneth E. Shull
Pennsylvania Section

1971-74
No Award Given

1970
Gordon G. Robeck
California-Nevada Section

1968-69
No Award Given

1967
Alvin P. Black
Florida Section