Distinguished Service Award

Distinguished Service Award

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2025 Winner: Mažeika Patricio Sulliván

Dr. S. Mažeika P. Sulliván was a leader in addressing diversity and inclusivity within SFS and in the freshwater sciences more broadly, chairing the SFS 2020–2023 Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) Task Force, serving on the SFS Education and Diversity Committee from 2019–2022, and convening the SFS Council for Underrepresented Voices. He collaborated with colleagues to increase inclusion across the aquatic science societies with resources from a $2 million NSF-funded grant (IMPLEMENTATION: EVOLVED – Embedding a Vision to Operationalize, Lift up, and Value Equity and Diversity in the Consortium of Aquatic Science Societies). His goals for diversity and inclusivity within SFS also included increased Spanish language programming, developing deep and meaningful relationships with tribal colleges and minority-serving institutions, and increasing the international membership and profile of the Society.

Sulliván received a B.A. in Anthropology and Native American Studies from Dartmouth College, and an M.Sc. in Biology and Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Vermont. He then served as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Idaho, where he assisted the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe of northern Idaho on Native American water rights issues. He remained committed to the tribe and to championing inclusion of Native American scientists in research for the rest of his career. From 2008–2022, he was a professor in the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) at The Ohio State University, where he also served simultaneously as the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) and as Director of the Ramsar-designated Schiermeier Olentangy Wetland Research Park from 2014–2022. In 2022, he became Director of BICEFS at Clemson University, where he also led the Streams, Rivers, and Estuaries (STRIVE) Lab, and where he served until shortly before his passing in May 2024.

From Dr. Sulliván's nomination letters for this award:

Mažeika’s accomplishments in service — not only in SFS, but across the aquatic sciences — are breathtaking. I have never previously witnessed someone achieve so much important work in such a short period of time. It was his purposeful movement and action that made him an unstoppable leader in service.

Mažeika led the transformation in how we address diversity and inclusivity in our Society over the last 5 years. Mažeika was not content to discuss issues of exclusion or lack of diversity, but rather take actions to address them. Mažeika’s fire for justice was motivating and inspiring to me.

In reference to a collaborative project, a colleague shared: This project would not have happened if it weren't for Mažeika's support and encouragement. He convinced me that we could do it together and that we would have the opportunity to do really good work that would have wide-ranging impacts. His vision, enthusiasm, and wisdom in this work has deeply impacted me, the EVOLVED program, and the thousands of people who are members of CASS through their home societies.

A young collaborator on the JEDI Task Force wrote: Mažeika was the main reason I became active within SFS. His love for people, science, and his drive to create a space where all voices were heard led me to want to make my voice heard as well. He inspired me to let my light shine just as his was shining, lighting up paths for all behind him.

About the Award

The SFS Distinguished Service Award is awarded to a Society member who has made a genuine and lasting contribution to the betterment of the Society. Nominations of people from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to increase the diversity of SFS Awardees. Submit your nominations for the SFS Distinguished Service Award here.

Recipients