The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) named Capt. Stephen Martin Jr., Ph.D., P.E., of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, as the recipient of the prestigious Federal Engineer of the Year Award for 2024.
Capt. Martin, a renowned expert in ventilation, engineering controls, and airborne infectious disease transmission, has focused his expertise on mitigating the global COVID-19 pandemic. He was honored during an awards luncheon held on Friday, February 23, at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., alongside 26 agency winners and 10 finalists for the Federal Engineer of the Year Award. Presented by the National Society of Professional Engineers, and now in its 45th year, this award is the only one of its kind to solely recognize outstanding engineers employed in the federal government.
“This day is not about me,” Dr. Martin told the assembled crowd of award-winning engineers in public service. “It’s about all of us. There are a lot of great engineers sitting in this room. I busted my tail over the last four years of the COVID pandemic. Things are finally letting up a little bit, but I know all of you busted your tail over the last four years too. So, thank you for all you do for the profession. Thanks for all you do to help the people of this great country of ours.”
Early in his mission to mitigate the pandemic, Martin guided federal and state entities, healthcare operations, private businesses, commercial airlines, school environments, unions, and other stakeholders in Operation Warp Speed protocols. His foremost responsibilities were providing safe ventilation to border security facilities, law enforcement operations, embassies, and U.S. military bases. His shared knowledge encompassed more than 25 presentations, 1,000 consultations, and 50 document reviews for technical content.
As senior research engineer, Martin steered the Air Cleaning Working Group in 2023 in the development of the American Society for Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers’ Standard 241: Control of Infectious Aerosols, published last July. This consensus-based enforceable standard will reduce indoor exposure to viruses and other pathogens that cause personal harm and economic damage yearly. Martin further piloted CDC’s 2023 updated ventilation guidance to prevent the continued spread of COVID-19 and prepare buildings for future diseases spread by infectious aerosols.
Three of the top ten finalists for this year’s award were U.S. Public Health Service Engineers serving within different agencies. The impressive group of agency winners gained recognition for accomplishments such as improving and repairing critical infrastructure, advancing sanitation, improving military bases, providing emergency support for diplomatic missions, using the latest technology to improve safety and efficiency, and protecting public health and the environment.
“To rise to the level that you have all attained does not happen by accident or without a lot of hard work,” said NSPE President Bill Atkinson, P.E., F.NSPE. “I’m so honored and happy to be here and help recognize you for what you’ve all been doing, which is truly exceptional. It’s clear that you choose to live your lives in a way that not only honors our profession, but continually makes the world a better place.”
A panel of judges established by NSPE’s Professional Engineers in Government selects the FEYA winner. Hailing from various federal agencies, departments, and military branches, the nominated engineers are evaluated based on factors such as engineering achievements, education, professional and technical society activities, awards and honors, and civic and humanitarian activities.
Founded in 1934, the National Society of Professional Engineers supports over 500,000 professional engineers, and the public, by fostering licensed professional engineers in service to society, ensuring the public can be confident that engineering decisions affecting their lives are made by qualified and ethically accountable professionals. Through education, licensure advocacy, leadership training, multidisciplinary networking, and outreach, NSPE enhances the image of professional engineers and their ability to ethically and professionally practice engineering. For more information, please visit www.nspe.org.