Dr. Daniel B. Oerther, professor of environmental health engineering, was recognized as the inaugural honorable mention recipient of the 2020 Constellation Prize for Food Security for his work combating food deserts in Cincinnati.

The Constellation Prize was established in 2020 to identify projects that promote new modes of engagement, research, development, and design to redefine the reason for engineering. Oerther’s work has improved access to food in urban Cincinnati and in rural Missouri. He is working to improve access to food around the world through the United Nations including his past participation in the Second International Conference on Nutrition as well as the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit. Oerther’s work tackles complex societal challenges through 21st century approaches by integrating people, planet, prosperity, partnerships, and peace for sustainable development, from locally to globally.