Northeastern Division Awardees

John Waldman
Winner of Dwight A. Webster Memorial Award

Dr. John Waldman is an aquatic conservation biologist and Professor at Queens College, City University of New York, recognized for a distinguished career dedicated to the conservation and restoration of diadromous fishes. His research has advanced the understanding and management of migratory species throughout the Atlantic coast, including salmon, shad, river herring, striped bass, and sturgeon. A prolific author, researcher, and educator, Waldman has helped elevate public and scientific awareness of the importance of restoring river connectivity and rebuilding historic fish migrations. Through decades of leadership in fisheries science, conservation, and mentorship, he has made enduring contributions to the protection of aquatic resources across the Northeastern United States.

Thomas Near
Winner of President’s Award

Dr. Thomas Near is Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Yale University, Bingham Oceanographic Curator of Ichthyology at the Yale Peabody Museum, and an internationally recognized evolutionary ichthyologist. His research has transformed our understanding of fish evolutionary relationships through the application of molecular phylogenetics, helping to clarify the origins, diversification, and biodiversity of numerous freshwater fish lineages throughout North America. By advancing the field of fish phylogenetics, Dr. Near’s work has provided an essential scientific foundation for fisheries conservation, species management, and biodiversity research across the eastern United States. His scholarly contributions continue to influence both evolutionary biology and the conservation of freshwater fish communities.

Heather Stewart
Winner of Meritorious Service Award

Heather Stewart is a fisheries scientist, conservation leader, and longtime champion of the AFS whose service has strengthened the organization at every level. Over more than a decade of leadership, she has served in numerous roles across AFS, including President of the Northeastern Division and President of the Student and Early Career Professionals Subsection of the Education Section. Through her stewardship, the Northeastern Division has achieved lasting improvements in its archives, digital presence, student support programs, and meeting inclusivity. Beyond AFS, Stewart has built a distinguished career in coastal and marine conservation, contributing to mangrove ecology, fisheries science, and ecosystem restoration while leading natural resource programs within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Cameron Bodine
Winner of Special Achievement Award

Dr. Cameron Bodine is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware whose work has advanced the accessibility and application of aquatic habitat mapping technologies. He is the developer and maintainer of PINGMapper, an open-source platform for processing and classifying side-scan sonar imagery that has substantially improved the efficiency, affordability, and reproducibility of benthic habitat mapping. Through his commitment to open science, software development, and technology transfer, Bodine has enabled researchers, agencies, and natural resource professionals to adopt modern tools for fisheries and habitat assessment, directly supporting conservation and management efforts throughout the Northeastern Division and beyond.