Highpoints

April 2026 | Volume 42, Number 4

In this issue:

• AAEES Patrons
• Executive Director (Part-Time)
• Upcoming Webinars
• Have You Renewed Your Board Certification?
• Call for Papers: Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Engineering & Science
• Advance Your Career and Expertise with AAEES Microcredentials
• Step-by-Step Directions: Adding a Microcredential to LinkedIn Education
• 2026 Academy Convocation and Celebration of Excellence
• Tau Chi Alpha 
• Submit Abstracts for the 2026 Nanobubble (Ultrafine Bubble) Conference
• AAEES Job Board Postings
• Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation
• Monthly Features

AAEES Patrons

Patrons of the Academy are organizations that are distinguished by providing financial support to the Academy's programs in addition to their engagement in specialty certification of their Engineers and Scientists. They are dedicated to a collaborative effort with the Academy in pursuit of Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science. For more information, go to https://www.aaees.org/patronsprogram.

Executive Director (Part-Time)

American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES)

Position Overview

The American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) seeks a strategic and collaborative Executive Director to lead the organization’s continued growth, visibility, and impact in advancing environmental engineering and science. Working in close partnership with the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, the Executive Director serves as the chief administrative and operational leader of the Academy, responsible for implementing strategy, strengthening programs, and expanding membership and revenue.

This is a part-time position (approximately 20–25 hours per week) with flexibility aligned to Board and committee activities. The role is well-suited for an experienced leader or senior professional seeking a mission-driven leadership opportunity with national reach. Screening of applications will begin May 15, 2026, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. A full position description is available on line at: https://www.aaees.org/edsearch.

AAEES is an equal opportunity organization and encourages applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Upcoming Webinars

Have You Renewed Your Board Certification?

It is not too late to maintain your professional standing. To streamline the process, you may remit payment for your specialty certification renewal without the need to log in to your account.

To complete your renewal, please follow these steps:

1. Locate your renewal notification email.
2. Select the link labeled "Click here to view this invoice" to be directed to your personalized payment portal.
3. Click the "Pay Invoice" button located at the bottom of the document.
4. Enter your payment details to finalize the transaction.

Once submitted, your certification status will be updated accordingly.

Call for Papers:
Artificial Intelligence in Environmental Engineering & Science

AAEES invites submissions for a special issue of Environmental Engineer and Scientist exploring how AI is transforming environmental engineering and science—from air and climate modeling to water systems, waste management, energy, policy, and emerging ethical considerations.

We welcome Technical Notes, State-of-the-Art Reviews, Forums, and Editorials.

Submission deadline: June 30, 2026

Publication: October 2026

Full submission details: https://www.aaees.org/ees-call-for-papers

Help shape the future of the profession through innovation and leadership.

Advance Your Career and Expertise with AAEES Microcredentials

In a world driven by innovation, professionals need more than experience—they need proof of expertise. The AAEES Microcredentials offer targeted, flexible learning opportunities designed to elevate your skills and showcase your mastery in high-demand areas like Artificial Intelligence and PFAS.

Click here for details

Step-by-Step Directions: Adding a Microcredential to LinkedIn Education

If you’ve put in the time and effort to complete one of AAEES’s microcredentials, make sure your network knows! Add this accomplishment to the Education section of your LinkedIn profile to highlight your commitment to professional growth. (Step by step directions below). Badges were sent out via email. 

AAEES microcredentials offer targeted, flexible learning opportunities designed to elevate your skills and demonstrate your mastery in today’s high-demand areas. Learn more at: https://www.aaees.org/aaees-microcredentials.  

Step 1: Log in to LinkedIn

• Open linkedin.com and log in with your account.
• Navigate to your profile by clicking your profile picture or name in the top bar.

Step 2: Scroll to the Education Section

• Scroll down your profile until you see the Education section.
• If you don’t have an Education section yet, click Add profile section → Background → Education.

Step 3: Click the “+” Icon

• In the Education section, click the “+” (Add education) button to create a new entry.

Step 4: Fill Out the Microcredential Details

• School: Enter AAEES Microcredential in AI or PFAS, etc. 
• Degree: Microcredential
• Field of Study: Artificial Intelligence, PFAS, etc. 
• Start Date / End Date: 2025 or can leave blank
• Grade / GPA: can leave blank
• Activities and Societies: Optional — you can leave blank.
• Description: Briefly describe what the credential covers: You can go here to copy and paste description: https://www.aaees.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=459:microcredential&catid=20:site-content&Itemid=335
• Media: Link to AAEES Microcredential Page https://www.aaees.org/microcredentials

Step 5: Save

• Click Save to add the microcredential to your Education section.

Step 6: Verify

• Scroll through your Education section to ensure the microcredential appears correctly.
• Optionally, move it up in the section if you want it to stand out.

Tips

• You can also add microcredentials to the Licenses & Certifications section

The 2026 Academy Convocation and Celebration of Excellence

We’re still energized from the AAEES 2026 Academy Convocation and Celebration of Excellence held on April 16!

The day began at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg Center in Washington, DC, where we recognized the outstanding winners of the Excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science (E3S) Competition and the Environmental Communication Awards. Attendees heard inspiring presentations showcasing innovative projects, celebrated impactful achievements in environmental practice, and connected with peers across the field.

The celebration continued into the evening at the Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, where we honored individual award recipients and recognized the remarkable leaders named to the 2026 40 Under 40. It was a memorable night highlighting the talent, dedication, and vision shaping the future of environmental engineering and science.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate excellence and innovation!

View event photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCRBHv

Tau Chi Alpha

Tau Chi Alpha (TXA), the Environmental Engineering Honor Society, recognizes students and professionals who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and ethical character within environmental engineering, environmental science, and closely related fields.

Since its reorganization in 2024, Tau Chi Alpha has established more than twenty new chapters and inducted more than 80 new members.

To learn more about Tau Chi Alpha and its mission, visit: Tau Chi Alpha (TXA)

Submit Abstracts for the 2026 Nanobubble (Ultrafine Bubble) Conference

AAEES, on behalf of NJIT, invites you to submit abstracts for the 2026 Nanobubble (Ultrafine Bubble) Conference, taking place August 19–21, 2026, at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, New Jersey

Conference website

This marks the first Global Nanobubble Conference in the United States, following successful events in Kyoto, Magdeburg, Suzhou, Coffs Harbor, Shanghai, and Les Houches. The conference will bring together experts from academia, industry, and government to advance nanobubble and nanodroplet science—covering theory, characterization, and applications in environmental, agricultural, medical, and food systems.

The 2nd ISO TC 281 Meeting on Fine Bubble Technology is tentatively planned just before the conference, and the ACS Fall 2026 Conference will follow in Chicago, offering attendees a convenient opportunity to participate in both.

We look forward to welcoming you to New Jersey in 2026! 

AAEES Job Board Postings

Habitat Environmental Engineer - Environmental Engineer 3 - Permanent - 2026-02828
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

Environmental Scientist CW 2026-02
San Francisco Estuary Institute - Richmond, CA

Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation

The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation's primary purpose is to recognize and promote excellence in Environmental Engineering and Science. As a result, the public will become more aware of the important role Environmental Engineers and Scientists play in managing global, national and regional environmental challenges. To accomplish its goals, the Foundation dedicates its resources to education, research and awards focused on outstanding Environmental Engineering and Science achievement.

The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. As such, all contributions donated through this site are eligible to receive a tax-deduction. The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation supports several educational, awards, and outreach programs and supports a variety of activities and initiatives of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists.

Descriptions of the various funds and their charitable objectives can be found at https://www.eesfoundation.org/donate/.

Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation Scholarships

Undergraduate students pursuing environmental engineering or environmental science can apply for EESF’s annual Master’s Degree Scholarships. The Environmental Engineering and Science Foundation is offering 11 scholarships - including eight $2,500 awards and three additional $2,500 awards for underrepresented minority students - to support students entering accredited graduate programs. Scholarships are based on academic performance.

Apply by June 1, 2026. Learn more and apply at https://www.eesfoundation.org/scholarship.

Monthly Features

In order to celebrate the Academy’s 70th birthday, we are sharing 70 stories in 2025 and 2026. We post them on our social media platforms so make sure you are following us. You can also catch up on recent stories on our website: https://www.aaees.org/70years70stories

If you would like to submit a story for consideration please email Marisa Waterman at mwaterman at aaees dot org.

Have you added your Board Certification credentials to your LinkedIn name?

Show off your accomplishments to your LinkedIn network…it takes under a minute to add your credentials. 

See directions in the image below: 

Need PDHs?

You now have the opportunity to earn PDHs from recorded webinars! If you miss an AAEES webinar, you can watch it at your convenience and then take a quiz to earn PDHs.

1. Go to our webinar library and watch a webinar of your choice.
2. Once you have watched it, go to the coordinating quiz link to purchase and complete a brief quiz.
3. Once you pass the quiz, we will send you your PDH certificate.

It’s that simple!

Go to our webinar library to browse our recorded webinars: https://www.aaees.org/aaeeswebinarslibrary.

Stories Submission

AAEES is THE collaborating organization in environmental engineering and environmental science. Environmental engineers and environment scientists can come here to tell a story and connect with others. We accept a variety of formats:

• Photo(s) with description
• Links to news articles
• Video clips
• Links to relevant webinar/podcasts
• Links to industry white paper

We appreciate everything our members submit. Depending on the size of your item, we may include it on social media, the monthly Highpoints Newsletter, or Environmental Engineer and Scientist magazine.

For more information, and to submit your story, go to https://www.aaees.org/MemberStories.

AAEES Podcasts

The Importance of Mentoring: No One is An Island

Nicholas Albergo and Matthew Talbert from GHD discuss mentoring, ethics, and career growth. Hear insights on board certification, networking, and challenges for emerging professionals in this engaging episode.

Stream or Download This Episode

Environmental Engineering and Science: A Team Sport

Dr. Mary deFlaun interviews Heather Tahon on mentorship, leadership, and board certification’s impact on credibility. Heather shares career insights and advice for aspiring environmental professionals in this inspiring episode.

Stream or Download This Episode

A Day in the Life of an Environmental Engineer and the Steps it Takes to Get There: Interview with Isreal Hodges, Jr., P.E., BCEE

Anastasia Rudenko interviews Isreal Hodges on board certification, networking, overcoming challenges, and prioritizing health. Isreal’s inspiring journey offers valuable advice for aspiring environmental engineers.

Stream or Download This Episode

Overcoming Obstacles to Become a Successful Engineer: The Story of Melody Gonzalez

Anne Germain interviews Melody Gonzalez on her inspiring journey from single motherhood in Venezuela to engineering success, emphasizing mentorship, networking, and resilience for aspiring professionals.

Stream or Download This Episode

Interactive Who’s Who

The Academy’s website has an improved and expanded feature for members: the Interactive Who’s Who. Look for the link just below the welcome message after you log in. With this tool you can search for members by name, specialization, organization, and location.

You can use this feature to find Board-Certified individuals within a specialty for possible engagement on projects. You can find out who else in your organization is a member and see their biographical information. You can get contact information for colleagues in the Academy. Universities can find local Board-Certified members to engage them with their program as mentors or external advisory board members. The feature is intuitive to use by selecting one or more text fields to search for. Once you find a member you can then click on them for more detailed profile including contact information. And, if you search for yourself, you will be able to edit your profile including adding a headshot photo for your colleagues to know you by. Enjoy this new feature that will help our members connect with each other.

All AAEES members receive a 30% discount off any of PDH Online's 3,000+ courses, including live webinars. AAEES will receive a 20% royalty for each course taken by AAEES members using the AAEES membership code AAEES30.

Members can search courses and sign up at https://www.PDHonline.com.

PDH Online is one of the leading online course providers and is an approved continuing education sponsor by many state licensing boards for professional engineers. Over 100 of their courses have been developed by BCEEs. AAEES has designated PDH Online as the Preferred PDH Provider to help AAEES members complete all their bi-annual PDH requirements.

Update Your Profile

Change of address, email or any information? You will need to login to your profile in our organization. 

If you are having trouble accessing your account, email Yolanda at YMoulden at aaees.org for assistance.

Not Getting Email Announcements from AAEES

Please be sure to whitelist or add [email protected] to your contact list to ensure you receive important updates and announcements to your inbox.

It's Simple - Refer a Colleague to Apply for Board Certification

• Click here for the simple one-page referral form for Board Certification OR
• Click here for the simple one-page referral form for Board Certification through Eminence

Host a Virtual Event

It's easy and free to host an AAEES Webinar or Virtual Workshop/Event

If you would like to learn more, please email Marisa Waterman at MWaterman at aaees.org. Be sure to give an approximate date and suggested topic and possible speakers.

Don't Miss Anything!

The AAEES calendar is a great way to stay connected with listings of upcoming events, meetings, deadlines, industry observances, and other important dates.

Student Lounge

We always love to hear what our student members have been up to! Send us your recent articles, news, studies, project photos, etc. We would be happy to share with the rest of the environmental engineering and science community via social media. Send an email to Marisa Waterman at MWaterman at aaees.org.

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