| Advancing the sciences, engineering & applications of ultraviolet technologies to enhance the quality of human life & to protect the environment. |
2025 IUVA Achievement Awards July 21, 2025 Congratulations to the talented winners of the 2025 IUVA Achievement Awards! Thank you to everyone who nominated projects, people, and papers – it was a very competitive year. We are now delighted to announce the award committee’s choice for each category. We welcome you to join us in celebrating these deserving winners at the Awards Dinner for the 2025 IUVA World Congress in Lisbon, Portugal this September. Register today! |
Sustainability AwardWe are thrilled to announce that Professor Hadas Mamane has been selected as the winner in the Projects/Products: Sustainability category for her groundbreaking work with BeyondBlue. The non-profit she co-founded delivers cutting-edge UV-LED water disinfection technologies designed specifically for underserved and resource-limited communities. By leveraging energy-efficient, chemical-free, and off-grid compatible UV systems, BeyondBlue directly advances sustainable development goals for clean water and health. Their modular, portable technologies minimize environmental impact while maximizing access to safe drinking water in rural and emergency settings across Uganda, India, and beyond. Prof. Mamane’s visionary leadership seamlessly integrates academic innovation with community-driven solutions, demonstrating how sustainable engineering can transform public health and water security worldwide. |
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Innovation AwardWe are proud to announce Dr. Mengkai Li as the winner in the Projects/Products: Innovation category for the Mini-fluidic Photoreaction System (MFPS) — a groundbreaking advancement in UV water treatment research. Developed in collaboration with leading institutions in China, The MFPS redefines how scientists study and optimize UV-based advanced oxidation processes (UV-AOPs), as well as how engineers predict real-world engineering performance. With modular design, multi-wavelength compatibility, and integration with other treatment technologies, this system enables rapid, energy-efficient analysis of pollutant degradation and microbial inactivation. Already in use by research institutions and industry, the MFPS is a transformative tool accelerating innovation in sustainable water treatment. Engineering AwardWe are also excited to recognize Dr. Mengkai Li as the winner in the Projects/Products: Engineering category for leading the most impactful UV engineering project of the year. In collaboration with Professors Zhimin Qiang (Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Ting Xie and Shaogang Liu (both of Guangxi Minzu University), Dr. Li and his team designed and implemented a decentralized, chlorine-free UV water disinfection system tailored to the specific needs of rural, karst regions of Southwest China. Featuring rapid-start UV reactors and point-of-use tap disinfection, the system delivers safe, chemical-free drinking water to remote communities. Following a successful pilot in Guangxi, the project has expanded regionally and is transforming rural water safety. | 
Mengkai Li, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences |
UVLaunch AwardWe’re pleased to announce Martin Hessling as the winner of the UVLaunch award, recognizing an innovative UV start-up or start-up idea. Together with PhD student Ben Sicks and Master’s student Kilian Noller, Hessling developed a side-mounted UVC and Far‑UVC LED system integrated with a quartz overlay that rapidly disinfects touchscreens. This technology addresses a critical public health challenge in public spaces where frequent contact can facilitate the spread of infectious diseases. Extensive lab testing has demonstrated up to 99.9% bacterial reduction (including MRSA surrogates) in just one second of exposure. Ideal for high-traffic environments like hospitals, ATMs, and public kiosks, this automated solution offers continuous, user-safe sterilization without manual cleaning or harmful residues. With continued development and commercial potential, Martin Hessling’s startup stands to revolutionize infection control on everyday touch interfaces, enhancing hygiene and safety in both healthcare and public environments worldwide. |
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Lifetime Achievement Award
We are proud to announce Troy Cowan as the recipient of the 2025 IUVA Lifetime Achievement Award. A visionary leader and passionate advocate for public health, Troy has made transformative contributions to the UV industry and beyond. As founder of the IUVA Healthcare Working Group, he built and led a cross-sector coalition that continues to advance UV technology and its role in protecting patient safety. His tireless efforts have fostered collaborations across government, industry, and academia—resulting in innovations that are helping to save lives. Known for his calm leadership, strategic insight, and quiet generosity, Troy has shaped not only the direction of the field, but also the community within it. This award recognizes both his extraordinary impact and his enduring legacy. "It's all about saving lives..."
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Sun Award for Outstanding VolunteerismWe are proud to present the Sun Award for Outstanding Volunteer Contribution to the IUVA Task Force on the Impact of UV-C on Material Degradation. Since its formation in 2021, this cross-industry working group—featuring 34 experts from Boeing, Philips Healthcare, Honeywell, Solvay/Syensqo, Aquisense, Atlas/Ametek, RTP Compounding, Seal Shield, Light Sources, Blueprint Biosecurity, New York State Department of Health, Heraeus, Castros SA, independent experts and more—has led the global effort to understand how UV-C affects polymers. Their work has produced foundational data and degradation profiles, shaping upcoming ISO and ASTM standards. In addition, the Task Force has actively promoted IUVA and its developments at conferences and events around the world. Through collaborative research, leadership, and international outreach, this Task Force has significantly advanced the safe and effective use of UV-C technologies across industries. |
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Galaxy Award for Outstanding Organizational PartnerWe are honored to present the Galaxy Award for Outstanding Organizational Partner to Dr. Jiangyong Hu of the Center for Water Research (CWR) at the National University of Singapore. A global leader in water treatment innovation, Dr. Hu has spearheaded over S$25 million in research projects and played a pivotal role in Singapore’s acclaimed NEWater program, which leverages UV technology for potable water reuse. Under her leadership, CWR has become a hub for international collaboration, education, and technology transfer, including co-organizing multiple IUVA symposia. As an IUVA Board member since 2016, Dr. Hu’s dedication to advancing UV science and fostering regional and global partnerships exemplifies the spirit of this award. |
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Rising Star AwardWe are thrilled to recognize Milad Raeiszadeh with the Rising Star Award, honoring his outstanding contributions to UV technology and the IUVA community as a young professional. Milad began his journey in UV research during his master’s studies at the University of British Columbia, where he evaluated the disinfection performance of novel far-UVC sources. He went on to play a pivotal role in developing and commercializing UV LED-based disinfection systems at Acuva Technologies, contributing to patents, peer-reviewed publications, and real-world innovations in water, air, and surface treatment. Now at Clear Inc., Milad leads engineering projects integrating UV disinfection into residential and commercial systems. A passionate IUVA volunteer, he has served as Co-Chair of the Young Professionals Committee, Scientific Communications Coordinator, and an active member of multiple task forces and conference planning efforts. With technical depth, leadership, and a commitment to advancing the field, Milad truly exemplifies the next generation of UV innovators. |
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Most Impactful Journal Article Award (2023-Present)The Most Impactful Journal Article Award is presented to Jing Zhao, Emma M. Payne, Bryan Liu, Chii Shang, Ernest R. Blatchley III, William A. Mitch, and Ran Yin for their groundbreaking paper, “Making waves: Opportunities and challenges of applying far-UVC radiation in controlling micropollutants in water” (Water Research, 2023). This collaborative study from leading institutions including HKUST, Stanford, Purdue, and CU Boulder introduces far-UVC as a powerful and energy-efficient tool for degrading stubborn micropollutants like pharmaceuticals and pesticides. By unveiling novel degradation mechanisms and highlighting environmental and practical benefits, this work lays the scientific and technical foundation for the next generation of UV water treatment systems. With 40+ citations and growing, it’s already making waves across the water research community. |
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