In recognition of her outstanding contributions to science and education, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's Dr. Carys Mitchelmore has been awarded the 2026 Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Service by the USM Board of Regents. Dr. Mitchelmore has exemplified scientific excellence in the service of the public good throughout her career. Among her many accomplishments include leading pioneering research on the distribution and effects of ingredients in sunscreen (UV filters) in the marine environment and more recently in evaluating the impacts of the 2026 sewage leak on the Potomac River. In celebration of UMCES’ rich tradition of actionable research that informs public policy, Dr. Mitchelmore co-leads the ACES Center at UMCES’ Chesapeake Biological Laboratory which is developing accurate assessments of the environmental risk for contaminants of emerging concern, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products and chemical contaminant tracers of sewage leaks.
“We are proud of Professor Carys Mitchelmore receiving this award, particularly because it reflects UMCES’ commitment to public service and I can think of no one to best represent that commitment than Carys’ tireless and dedicated research and public outreach in public-facing topics such as sunscreens, plastics and oil spills,” Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science said.
Dr. Mitchelmore's commitment to public service is reflected in her commitment to educating the next generation of scientific leaders. She teaches numerous graduate courses and initiated and previously chaired the UMCES Policy, Course, Curriculum committee, and chaired the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory’s graduate education committee, and serves on the leadership team for our multi-institutional graduate program. See sees her work on developing science curricula for elementary and middle school students in Southern Maryland as equally important to her work with graduate students.
"Here at the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, we are so very proud and honored to have our own Dr. Carys Mitchelmore selected for this prestigious award. This USM Regents Faculty Award for Excellence in Public Service not only reflects Dr. Mitchelmore's strong commitment to CBL and UMCES, but also to strengthening our learning and engagement impacts on a wide range of communities, students and collaborators," Dr. Beth Polidoro, director of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science's Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, said.
Dr. Mitchelmore is invested in integrating scientific research for management and regulatory communities and serves on numerous international and national science advisory groups as an environmental toxicologist, including five National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine committees. She was involved in many advisory groups for the Deepwater Horizon Natural Resource Damage Assessment, provided a report estimating sea turtle losses, and continues to be involved in working groups concerning oil impacts in the environment. She has also provided testimony at Federal, State, and local hearings and served as an expert witness in courts on aquatic toxicity, hazard assessment, and environmental regulations and management.
“It is truly an honor to receive this award in Public Service, as I have always believed that science must be for the public good. I am grateful to UMCES for supporting a culture where public service is a fundamental part of our scientific mission, and that I work with stakeholders and colleagues within and outside of UMCES that contribute to this work,” Dr. Mitchelmore said.
Over UMCES's 100-year history, the university has been renowned for its groundbreaking research on coastal and terrestrial ecosystems and boasts many globally eminent faculty scholars. Mitchelmore joins an impressive group of UMCES faculty members who have received Regents Faculty Awards, including Professors Jackie Grebmeier, Xin Zhang, Eric Schott, Jeffrey Cornwell, Mario Tamburri, Russell Hill, Tom Miller, Andrew Elmore, Keith Eshleman, Patricia Glibert, Rose Jagus, Rodger Harvey, Ed Houde, Michael Kemp, Tom Malone, Margaret Palmer, Allen Place, David Secor, and Diane Stoecker.
Board of Regents Faculty Awards publicly recognize faculty members’ distinguished performance in 1) Teaching; 2) Scholarship or Research; 3) Creative Activity; 4) Public Service; or 5) Mentoring. These awards marking excellence are the highest honor presented by the Board of Regents to exemplary faculty members within the University System of Maryland (USM). Each recipient of an award was presented with a plaque and $2,000 during the ceremony held on Sunday April 26th at Chancellor Perman’s Hidden Waters residence in Pikesville, Maryland. Dr. Mitchelmore will also be recognized at UMCES’ 2026 Commencement in May.
