Fish Health Section Awards

  • S.F. Snieszko Distinguished Service Award (SDSA), honoring individuals for outstanding accomplishments in the field of aquatic animal health
  • Special Achievement Award, presented periodically to a FHS member who has made a significant accomplishment in the fish health field regarding a new discovery, diagnostic method, publication, etc. during the past year
  • Snieszko Student Travel and Best Student Paper Awards. Student FHS members planning to attend the annual meeting are encouraged to apply for travel awards and compete for the best student presentation.

Criteria for these awards can be found below.

FHS members interested in nominating an individual for the Snieszko or Special Achievement Awards and students seeking travel assistance should send required materials to the chair of the Awards Committee. 

S.F. Snieszko Distinguished Service Award (SDSA)

This is the highest award in the FHS presented for the purpose of honoring individuals for outstanding accomplishments in the field of aquatic animal health. Please click here to learn about the past recipients of this award. The criteria for this award are as follows:

  • Individuals to be considered for this award must be nominated by a current member of the FHS.
  • Persons making nominations must obtain six letters of recommendation from fish health professionals that support the nominee's dedication to research, teaching an/or service to the field of aquatic animal health. The six letters along with the curriculum vitae for the nominee should be sent to the Award Committee with a letter of nomination.
  • Because this is a career award, candidates should have a significant number of active years in science within the fish or shellfish health field as well as significant accomplishments, which are not limited to but can include the following examples:
  • Candidates should have a significant number of research publications in recognized peer reviewed journals and/or book chapters and books within the subject of fish or shellfish health.
    • A candidate must have been active in finfish and shellfish health research or diagnostics as indicated by significant publications and/or secured grants for graduate student thesis projects, and/or administration of a successful finfish or shellfish health program or laboratory.
    • Accomplishment by a candidate of a major discovery regarding a new finfish or shellfish disease or diseases and/or continued significant contributions to the understanding of a previously discovered disease or diseases.
    •  Previous recognition by peer through other society, committee or distinguished service awards and/or by elected or appointed chair/presidential positions.

FHS members interested in nominating an individual for this award should send the required materials as described above to the Awards Committee following the request for nominations.

Special Achievement/Distinguished Service Award

This award is presented to a FHS member who has made a significant accomplishment in the fish health field regarding a new discovery, diagnostic method, publication, etc. This award is for a one-time accomplishment and may or may not be give out every year. Please click here to view past recipients of this award. This award may be given for:

  • A unique contribution to the fish health field (such as a new diagnostic tool, a new technique to control disease, etc.)
  • A significant research accomplishment
  • Outstanding leadership in resolving a major aquatic animal health program
  • This achievement must meet high standards of science and survive peer review.

Individuals to be considered for this award must be nominated by a current member of the FHS.

The letter of nomination should clearly state:

  • The accomplishment
  • The significance of the accomplishment to the field
  • The implication of the accomplishment to aquaculture (local, regional, national, or worldwide)
  • Copies of any articles or other documents relating to the work should be included.

Nominations for the Special Achievement Award should be made within one year of the accomplishment and may be submitted to the Chair of the Awards Committee at any time. Names of qualifying candidates and supporting documents will be submitted to the EXCOM members for a majority vote on whether the award will be presented.

Snieszko Student Travel Awards

This award, a sum of up to $1000, is awarded to one or more students yearly to defray travel to the Annual FHS meeting to present a talk in the aquatic animal health field. Please click here to view past recipients of the award.

The requirements from student applications are as follows:

  • Letter of application and statement of any special financial circumstances (i.e. not supported by a stipend, etc.)
  • Curriculum vitae must be submitted along with three letters of recommendation
  • Itemized budged on how money is to be spent, i.e. travel, meals, lodging and registration
  • Copy of abstract of paper to be presented
  • The student must be a member of the AFS/Fish Health Section

The applications will be judged by the following criteria:

  • Quality of abstract
  • Significance of/interest in the research
  • Academic achievement
  • Professional achievement
  • Financial need

Students interested in applying for the Snieszko Student Travel Awards should prepare an application packet containing the above items and send to the Awards Committee following the request for applications.

Best Student Paper Award

The Best Student Paper Award is awarded yearly to the student delivering the best presentation at the FHS Annual meeting. To be eligible for this award, students must be FHS members and indicate that they wish to compete for the award when registering for the annual meeting. Students are judged by a panel of FHS members. Presenters are judged on number of criteria including presentation skills and scientific merit of the research. Recipients of this award receive a cash award and certificate/plaque. Please click here to view past recipients of the award.