2023 Haagen-Smit Winners
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CARB accepted nominations from the public for the 2023 Haagen-Smit Clear Air Awards, October 30, 2023 through January 15, 2024:
Press Release - October 28, 2023
Nomination Instructions
Gallery of Photographs from the 2023 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Awards
Video: Board Item
Video: Clean Air Leadership Talks
CARB is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Awards (Press Release - October 9, 2024)
The four following outstanding individuals are honored for their air quality improvement achievements in the categories of environmental justice, research, international education, and policy. Full biographies are available in the 2023 Clean Air Awards Program.
Kofi A. Agyarko, M.S., Director of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Climate Change, Ghana Energy Commission Environmental Justice Mr. Kofi Agyarko has been a leader in energy efficiency and energy conservation policies and programs in Ghana for decades, with expertise and impact that transcends international borders. With a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Banking from the University of Ghana and a Master of Science in Energy Management from BI Norwegian Business School, Mr. Agyarko has worked tirelessly to advance energy efficiency initiatives that benefit both people and the planet. This includes the fight against international trade practices of environmental dumping, where wealthy nations ship new and used consumer products, including outdated refrigerators and air conditioners with obsolete and high global warming potential refrigerants, to poor and developing countries that can ill afford the environmental, financial, and other burdens of such appliances. More information: Kofi Agyarko - Ghana Energy Commission | |
![]() | Richard C. Flagan, Ph.D., McCollum-Corcoran Professor of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Science and Engineering, California Institute of Technology Research Dr. Richard Flagan is a globally recognized and innovative experimentalist and researcher in aerosol science and instrumentation. In 1975, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduate joined the California Institute of Technology faculty to study aerosol science. Throughout his career, Dr. Flagan has made transformative contributions to the field of aerosol science, developing innovative measurement techniques and advancing the understanding of aerosol dynamics and their environmental impacts. One of Dr. Flagan's most remarkable contributions to clean air was the development of novel aerosol measurement instruments that dramatically improved the accuracy and scope of atmospheric studies. More information: Richard Flagan - California Institute of Technology |
![]() | Prashant Kumar, Ph.D., Professor & Chair of Air Quality & Health, University of Surrey, United Kingdom International Education Dr. Prashant Kumar, a Professor of Air Quality & Health at the University of Surrey, UK, has been active in research and education across the globe, including in Brazil, China, Egypt, India, and the United Kingdom. After earning degrees in civil and environmental engineering in India, Dr. Kumar completed a doctorate in engineering at the University of Cambridge, UK, specializing in measurements and dispersion modeling of nanoparticles in the urban environment. Dr. Kumar then joined the University of Surrey, where he rapidly advanced from Lecturer to Professor & Chair, and to Associate Dean. His widespread public outreach and education work has distinguished him as an uncommon academic who takes his research to the end users, from policy makers to the public. More information: Prashant Kumar - University of Surrey |
![]() | Vickie Patton, J.D., General Counsel, Environmental Defense Fund Policy Ms. Vickie Patton has been integral in upholding numerous national and state climate change and air quality standards by utilizing science-based analysis, partnerships, public education, and strategic litigation. An environmental attorney and resolute clean air advocate, Ms. Patton has dedicated over 30 years to improving and protecting clean air regulations and promoting healthier air and a safer climate for all people and communities. She has been a powerful California ally when the state's waiver has been under attack. Her leadership and integrity have made her one of the most respected and accomplished leaders within the non-profit advocacy community. More information: Vickie Patton - Environmental Defense Fund |
The 2023 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Awards were announced via the October 9, 2024 press release, and were conferred at the Thursday October 24, 2024 Board Meeting at 9am. The Board Meeting was webcast via Cal-Span, and was recorded (link to video).
The Clean Air Leadership Talks, in which the Awardees speak briefly about their work, was livestreamed from 1:30-3:30pm on Wednesday October 23, 2024 (media advisory of October 10, 2024) and a recording is now available for viewing on CARB’s YouTube channel (link to video).
The 2023 Haagen-Smit Clean Air Awards Program Booklet contains the full biographies of the Awardees.