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IUVA Celebrates Successful 2026 Americas Conference in Halifax
Earlier this month, the International Ultraviolet Association took over a corner of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the IUVA 2026 Americas Conference. Nearly 200 attendees participated in the conference, which began with workshops on Sunday, October 4th and ran through Wednesday, October 7th. The international assembly represented 12 countries, with double the number of Canadian attendees relative to previous Americas Conferences. Additionally, the 40 students present eclipsed previous years’ totals, representing the growing next generation of UV scientists.
Over 100 talks, across three concurrent tracks over three days, spanned topics including water treatment, air & surfaces, AOP, reactor issues, and more. Thank you to Xylem for sponsoring the seven water disinfection sessions. The highly popular poster session showcased 12 research projects, most of them presented by students.
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At the center of the conference venue, 13 exhibitors showcased their products and services to attendees. Thank you Aerolamp, Ams-Osram, AquiSense, Blueprint Biosecurity, Boston Electronics, Il Metronic, Illumisoft, Nedap, Nichia, Nairobi, sglux, Violumas, and ZED for contributing to the conference’s success.
A few conference events took attendees off-campus to experience more of uniquely Halifax locations. The IUVA Young Professionals convened at the historic Alexander Keith’s Brewery on Sunday to kick off the conference with pizza, beer, and refreshments. The 200+ year old establishment is one of the oldest working breweries in North America. Tuesday’s schedule concluded with a reception at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Located on the Halifax waterfront, Pier 21 processed nearly one million immigrants and refugees between 1928 and 1971. Today, the museum keeps that history alive with interactive exhibits and first-hand accounts. Guests mingled among historical tableaus while enjoying drinks and a delicious spread– including donair, the official dish of Halifax. Floor to ceiling windows offered panoramic sunset views of Georges Island. |
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Wednesday began with Dr. Edward Nardell receiving the IUVA Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of seminal work understanding and preventing the airborne transmission of infectious diseases, particularly tuberculosis. Throughout his career, he has been one of the world’s most persistent and influential advocates for using germicidal ultraviolet light to make the air we share safer.
Honoring a previous recipient of IUVA’s Lifetime Achievement Award, IUVA president Ernest Blatchley III presented the Jim Bolton Awards for Outstanding Student Presentation. Congratulations to second place winners, Yiqian Wu and Ignacio Benito Labrador, and first place winner Danmei Chen!
Dr. Lew Radonovich presented the IUVA Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Ed Nardell |
Ernest Blatchley presented the Jim Bolton Award for Outstanding Student Presentation to first place winner, Danmei Chen |
Ernest Blatchley presented the Jim Bolton Award for Outstanding Student Presentation to one of the second place winners, Yiqian Wu |
The IUVA 2026 Americas Conference concluded with an optional tour of Halifax’s Eastern Passage Wastewater Treatment Facility, sponsored by AquiSense Inc. In 2024, Dalhousie scientists collaborated with Halifax Water to install and pilot an AquiSense UV LED reactor at the facility. Recent journal publications celebrate the pilot as the first instance where the efficacy of UV LED reactors was demonstrated using a large-scale installation at a functioning wastewater facility. During the pilot, the Eastern Passage Facility continued to employ its standard processes, including conventional UV, to manage its plant flow. Tour attendees got an eye-opening (and, at times, eye-watering) firsthand look at a functioning municipal wastewater treatment plant. Thank you Halifax Water, especially Jarvis Singer and Jordan Stark, for the amazing tours.
Surprisingly scenic views at the Eastern Passage Wastewater Facility tour |
The UV Building, equipped with conventional UV reactors and the site of a UV LED pilot |
And thank you to everyone who played a role in the IUVA 2026 Americas Conference! From the phenomenal talks and posters to coffee-break conversations, in-person events like this play a pivotal role in advancing the science and adoption of UV research and technology. We look forward to seeing you all again next year at the IUVA 2027 World Congress.