NIOSH Epidemiologist Selected as a 2021 National Fisherman Highliner Award Winner

Contact: Marisa Fries, vpw4@cdc.gov, 412.386.6709

NIOSH Epidemiologist Selected as a 2021 National Fisherman Highliner Award Winner

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Epidemiologist Dr. Jennifer Lincoln is a recipient of this year’s National Fisherman Highliner Awardexternal icon. The award recognizes Dr. Lincoln’s exceptional contributions to the fishing industry and to fishing communities. Dr. Lincoln and her fellow 2020 and 2021 Highliner award winners will be honored at the Pacific Marine Expo in Seattle, Washington, on November 18, 2021.

Dr. Jennifer Lincoln is an injury epidemiologist and currently serves as the associate director for NIOSH’s Office of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Safety and Health. Her career at NIOSH began in 1992 and has focused on scientific research and leadership to develop tailored risk-reduction interventions for high-risk work, especially in the commercial fishing industry. In 2006, she secured funding to establish the NIOSH Commercial Fishing Safety Research and Design Program. Later in 2015, NIOSH Director John Howard, M.D., appointed her the first director of the NIOSH Center for Maritime Safety and Health Studies. The center supports over 400,000 workers employed in U.S. maritime industries and focuses on advancing the safety of all maritime workers through research and intervention studies. Dr. Lincoln received her Ph.D. in health policy management from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“To be recognized by the fishing industry is simply one of the most important achievements of my professional career, and I’m honored to receive this award from National Fisherman,” said Dr. Lincoln. “Thank you for this recognition and thanks to all of the industry partners, my colleagues at NIOSH and the Coast Guard, as well as the many marine safety researchers, trainers, and advocates who have worked with me over the years. In each project, we learned more about the risks fishermen face and then worked with them to identify relevant and practical solutions to reduce those risks. We’ve all made a difference along the way.”

National Fisherman, a publication dedicated to providing the latest news, events, and legislation relevant to the U.S. commercial fishing industry, selects three career commercial fisherman each year to receive their distinguished Highliner award. This award acknowledges those who go above and beyond in the fishing industry and their communities. National Fisherman has honored Highliners for over 40 years, but this year marks the first time they selected individuals who have dedicated their career to improving the safety of workers in the fishing industry outside of the commercial fishing career.

NIOSH is the federal institute that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths. Find more information about NIOSH at www.cdc.gov/niosh.