APHL Honors 2026 Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats Preparedness Award Winners

San Antonio, Texas, September 3, 2026 – At the 2026 Laboratory Response Network for Biological Threats Preparedness (LRN-B) Technical Meeting, the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) presented awards to laboratories and public health leaders who have made significant achievements to biological threat agent testing. The winners were announced during a ceremony on Thursday, September 3. Congratulations to all award winners!

The following awards were presented:

The Excellence in Public Health Response Award is given to an LRN laboratory which made a significant contribution to the LRN-B and its mission by responding to public health threats, unique cases/incidents or exemplifying a surge capacity response. This year’s award recipient is:

• Nebraska Public Health Laboratory

The Outstanding Sentinel Training Program Award is given to an LRN laboratory that has been involved in sustained outreach and training initiatives and pursues ongoing improvements to the sentinel training program. This year’s award recipient is: 

• Tennessee Division of Laboratory Services

The Innovative Collaborations with First Responder Communities Award is given to an individual or LRN laboratory that collaborates closely with first responder communities and contributes to ongoing improvements in preparedness and response activities. This year’s award recipient is:

• New York State Department of Health - Wadsworth Center

The Excellence in Partnership Award is given to an organization which has made significant contributions to building and maintaining effective preparedness partnerships with multiple agencies or organizations. Awardees may have implemented and sustained partnerships with first responder and sentinel laboratory communities, academic institutions, state and local public health laboratories, military laboratories and other organizations. This year’s award recipient is:

• Texas Department of State Health Services

The Excellence in Methodology and Technology Evaluation Award is given to an LRN laboratory which has demonstrated outstanding effort in advancing the capabilities and capacities of the LRN-B to prepare, detect and respond. Awardees may have participated in multicenter evaluation studies for methods and/or technology, developed an innovative approach to detection capabilities, or provided significant feedback to improve capabilities and capacities as it relates to the LRN-B mission. This year’s award recipient is:

• New York State Department of Health – Wadsworth Center

The Excellence in Leadership Award is given to an individual with at least five years of LRN-B leadership who has been instrumental to the LRN-B mission. Awardees have made significant contributions to the advancement of LRN-B public health science or practice, exhibited leadership and have positively influenced the network and its members. This year’s award recipient is:

• Jasmine Chaitram, deputy director, readiness and response (acting), Office of Laboratory Systems and Response, CDC

The Excellence in Public Service Institutional Award is given to an institution who displayed outstanding and innovative support of the LRN-B. Award recipients demonstrate a commitment to continuous quality improvement, exceptional service and advancing the mission of the LRN-B. This year’s award recipient is:

• US Department of Veterans Affairs, Public Health National Program Office

The Excellence in Public Service Individual Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding and innovative support of the LRN B. Award recipients demonstrate a commitment to continuous quality improvement, exceptional service and advancing the mission of the LRN B through their leadership, expertise and dedication. This year’s award recipient is:

• Ricardo Quijano, laboratory supervisor, Bureau of Laboratory Services, Houston Health Department

The Award for Implementing Continuous Quality Improvement Systems is given to an individual or institution who, through leadership, support and implementation of quality initiatives, have been instrumental in strengthening the LRN-B. This year’s award recipient is:

• Latoya Griffin-Thomas, PhD, lead scientist, bioterrorism-special pathogens response, Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an exceptional individual whose enduring commitment, remarkable achievements and outstanding contributions have profoundly impacted the LRN-B and the communities it serves. This award celebrates a lifetime of dedication to advancing the mission of the LRN-B, driving innovation and fostering meaningful change. Honorees exemplify unwavering passion, integrity and leadership by consistently going above and beyond to inspire others and contribute to the growth and success of the organization. Through their legacy, they have set a gold standard for excellence and continue to leave an indelible mark on LRN-B’s future. This year’s award recipient is: 

• Philip A. Lee, retired

The Philip A. Lee Legacy of Learning Award recognizes an individual whose exceptional dedication to training, mentorship and professional development has made a lasting impact on the public health laboratory community. Through sharing expertise, supporting colleagues and investing in the growth of others, this individual has helped strengthen the laboratory workforce, build critical skills and prepare the next generation of public health laboratory professionals to carry the work forward.

• Michael Pentella, PhD, director, State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa

Recognition of Commitment to ISO 35001: Biorisk Management for Laboratories: APHL and CDC also recognized the first US public health laboratories to participate in the CDC/APHL ISO 35001 Program. These laboratories have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to strengthening biosafety, biosecurity and biorisk management within their organizations.

The laboratories recognized are:

• Virginia Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services
• New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories
• Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Public Health Laboratories – Tampa
• State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa

APHL congratulates all award winners, and thanks them for their contributions to advancing the essential work of the LRN-B.