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The ENERGY Center is proud to announce the 2026 recipients of the Edward A. Geltman Memorial Prize in Environmental Health Policy: Fidelis Idoko and Kera Johnson. Supported by the CUNY SPH Foundation, this prize honors the legacy of Edward A. Geltman, JD, late husband of Associate Professor Elizabeth Glass Geltman, LLM, JD, a champion of environmental health, public policy, and interdisciplinary learning. It recognizes outstanding graduate students whose work exemplifies evidence-based advocacy, environmental justice, and systems-level thinking.
Fidelis Idoko is an MS candidate in the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences track whose capstone research examines how socioeconomic conditions and aging housing influence childhood lead exposure across New York City’s five boroughs. Using public health and housing data, his work explores how structural inequalities contribute to elevated blood lead levels among children under six, with a focus on environmental justice and targeted community-based interventions. Idoko currently works as an environmental scientist with the NYC Department of Transportation, where he applies his expertise in environmental regulatory compliance, spill prevention, and hazardous waste management — grounding his research in the practical realities of urban environmental health protection.
Kera Johnson is a first-generation MS candidate in the Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences track whose capstone project analyzed fine particulate matter (PM2.5) trends in Southeast Queens from 2015 to 2024, examining the public health implications of long-term exposure and applying skills in environmental data analysis, exposure assessment, and interpretation of time-weighted averages. Her work reflects a commitment to addressing environmental health challenges in underserved communities, and the project deepened her interest in environmental epidemiology and air quality research. Johnson’s background also includes additional certifications in hazardous material transportation, construction health and safety, and hazardous waste operations, and she plans to pursue professional credentials including the Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) or Certified Safety Professional (CSP).
Please join us in congratulating Fidelis Idoko and Kera Johnson on this well-deserved recognition.
View the 2025 inaugural Geltman Prize winners here.
