July 01, 2024

Sidney D. Leverett Environmental Sciences Award

Established in memory of Sidney D. Leverett, Jr., Ph.D., this Environmental Science Award is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution in the field of environmental medicine through a publication in Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance, or by activities conducted in support of aerospace systems operation. It is sponsored by Environmental Tectonics Corporation.

Brian C. Hanshaw, D.O., MPH

Brian Hanshaw, D.O., MPH, receives the 2024 Sidney D. Leverett Environmental Sciences Award for his first authorship of an article on spaceflight recovery for acute inhalational exposure to hydrazines [Hanshaw BC, Ryder VE, Johansen BD, Pattarini JM, Nguyen HN, Nowadly CD, Blue RS. Spaceflight Recovery Considerations for Acute Inhalational Exposure to Hydrazines. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(7):532-543]. In this article, the authors reviewed the literature regarding hydrazine/hydrazine-derivative exposures and clinical seqeulae. They found that evidence of clinical sequelae was varied and included muscosal irritation, respiratory concerns, neurotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, hemotoxicity, and longitudinal risks. Symptoms of acute exposure are usually limited to mucosal and respiratory risk, while neurological, hepatotoxic, and hemotoxic sequelae were unlikely without recurrent or non-inhalational exposure. They concluded that clinical management should focus on likely clinical concerns supported by existing data. They found little evidence supporting a need for acute interventions for neurotoxicity and no evidence for hemotoxic sequelae needing on-scene management. This study is pivotal and should be viewed as an example of the way research gaps in the field should be approached.
   Lt. Col. Hanshaw is the Chief of Aerospace Medicine (SGP) at the 6th Medical Group at MacDill AFB, FL. As the SGP and Public Health Emergency Officer, he oversees multiple Air Force and coalition medical teams delivering healthcare for more than 30,500 enrollees, including joint and allied warfighters. In support of missions worldwide, the clinics provide primary care, flight medicine, dental, mental health, preventative medicine, bioenvironmental and medical support services to the Department of Defense’s largest single-unit catchment area with more than 265,000 eligible beneficiaries.
   Lt. Col. Hanshaw entered the Air Force in June 2011 through the Financial Assistance Program. He subsequently completed a Family Medicine Residency in Dayton, OH, in 2014 where he served as Chief Resident. He has maintained his Family Medicine and OMT board certification since 2014 and recently became board certified as an Aerospace Medicine specialist in January 2024. Prior to assuming his current position, he completed the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) sponsored Aerospace Medicine Residency at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, TX. During this training he worked with national and international experts in space and aviation medicine at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as well as multiple commercial space companies. He participated in space medical operations, collaborated with biomedical engineers on various space medicine projects, and supported polar medical operations at McMurdo Station in Antarctica. Additionally, he has previously served as an F-22 flight surgeon in Alaska and Flight Medicine Flight Commander in Utah.
   Lt. Col. Hanshaw is a member of the American College of Preventive Medicine, the American Osteopathic Association, and the Aerospace Medical Association. His awards and honors include the Meritiorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, the National Defense Service Medal, the Air and Space Longevity Service Award, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. With AsMA he placed second in competition for the Fellows scholarship and was a Space Medicine Association Jeff Myers Young Investigator Award winner.