The A.P. Black Research Award is given on an as-deserved basis to recognize a researcher for outstanding research contributions to water science and water supply rendered over an appreciable period of time.
The 2021 recipient of the 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 kinetics, 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.
Kenneth Mercer, editor-in-chief of Journal AWWA, interviewed Najm to learn about his research background, professional influences, and interest in a wide range of cutting-edge technologies.
Read the full interview: Issam Najm Honored With 2021 A.P. Black Research Award