2023 Meritorious Achievement Awardee

The Meritorious Achievement Award is given to members of ACGIH who have made outstanding, long-term contributions to the field of occupational health and environmental hygiene. The recipient of the 2023 Meritorious Achievement Award is Dr. Lauralynn Taylor McKernan, Sc.D., CIH.

Dr. Lauralynn Taylor McKernan, Sc.D., CIH  is the Director of the Division of Field Studies and Engineering (DFSE) at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.  Dr. McKernan received a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University, a Master of Science in Public Health degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a Doctorate of Science degree from the Harvard School of Public Health.  Dr. McKernan is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) and a CAPT(retired) in the US Public Health Service.

Dr. McKernan began her NIOSH career as an industrial hygienist in the Division of Surveillance, Hazard Evaluation and Field Studies (DSHEFS). From 2008-2016 she served in the Education and Information Division in several leadership positions including Deputy Branch Chief and Deputy Director. From 2016-2019, Dr. McKernan served as the Associate Director for Science in DSHEFS. In 2020, Dr. McKernan became the Director of DFSE (formerly DSHEFS), the first industrial hygienist in the position.

Dr. McKernan has authored numerous scientific papers on topics ranging from bioaerosols on commercial aircraft, blood lead monitoring techniques, and diacetyl sampling to lessons learned for first responders.  She has also authored/coauthored numerous NIOSH publications including a criteria document on diacetyl and 2-3 pentandione, and the NIOSH technical document on occupational exposure banding. She deployed to the Anthrax investigations, Hurrican Katrina, Oil spill response, Ebola, and COVID-19 responses.  During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. McKernan created and led a new program to significantly extend occupational safety and health outreach by retaining 52 subject matter experts across 27 states and territories.

Dr. McKernan is a long-standing member of ACGIH and is particularly grateful to have observed the ACGIH board operations after receiving the 2005 ACGIH Bloomfield Award.  From 2006-2010, she represented ACGIH on the Science Symposium Task Force during the annual AIHCE conferences. She has also participated on multiple ACGIH Nomination Committees.  Dr. McKernan also served as Vice President, President-Elect, and President of the Academy of Industrial Hygiene.