Jeffrey B. Taub will always be remembered by the graduate students and faculty at Duke University for his maturity of thought, his independence, and as an individual who successfully integrated past training with the environmental engineering profession. Jeff arrived at Duke in June of 1980, the result of his careful decision-making process to change careers from a prominent high school physics teacher in New York State to an environmental engineer. Jeff extended his knowledge of engineering in general and environmental engineering in particular by rigorous courses and by dedicating himself to his research.

With maturity and independence, he applied himself to the development of his new career. His efforts were rewarded and the results of his work at Duke are widely published. "Hazardous Waste Generated by the Academic Departments of Duke University," January, 1981, was a report prepared by Jeff which successfully assisted the University in addressing this monumental problem. "Instabilization in the Air Classification of Fuels," Journal of the Energy Engineering Division of the American Society of Engineers, June, 1983, made a major contribution to the theory and application of air classification. "Instabilities in Air Classification of Refuse Derived Fuel," Fourth Symposium and Biotechnology in Energy Production and Conservation by Oak Ridge National Laboratories, May, 1982, added to the understanding of the problems while producing needed energy. "Regional Alternatives for Solid Waste Disposal and Resource Recovery in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill," was a report prepared by Jeff which received regional and statewide attention.

Jeff also valued other parts of his life, fellow graduate students in general and one friend in particular. He annually led the environmental engineering graduate students and (some) faculty into battles on the soccer and softball fields. Rumor has it that Nancy Wittenberg, a fellow graduate student at the time, was so impressed with Jeff's ability to play third base that she subsequently agreed to his proposal of marriage.

Jeff was tragically killed in an automobile accident enroute to a hazardous waste managed facility while working for the New Jersey Environmental Protection Agency. Jeff and Nancy missed the opportunities of marriage by several weeks, but together, and Jeff in particular, will always be remembered at Duke through the Jeffrey B. Taub Environmental Engineering Graduate Student Award. This award is presented annually by the environmental engineering graduate students to a current student who best exhibits Jeff's maturity of thought and independence, and who best integrates past training with the environmental engineering profession.

The names of the recipients of this award are inscribed on a plaque displayed in the Engineering building, as well as being listed below. 

Year	Recipient
2009	Andreas Gondikas
2008	Zachary Hendren
2007	Christine Robichaud
2006	Ellen M. Cooper
2005	Erik J. Rosenfeldt
2004	Hadas Mamane-Gravetz
2003	Ki Don Cho
2001	Baneeta Sabherwal
2000	Ross M. Tabachow
1999	Daniel A. Vallero
1998	Jennifer M. Armstrong
1997	James M. Sperry
1996	Banu Ormeci
1995	Selim Sanin
1994	Aysen Ucuncu Erdingler
1993	Dilek F. Sanin
1992	Zhenhua Jiang
1991	Laura J. Steinberg
1990	Laura J. Steinberg
1989	Laura Steinberg
1988	Karen Ann Streich
1987	Brian Wilson Baetz
1986	Tomas Alan Peel
1985	Georgeann Morekas
1984	Richard I. Stessel
1983*	Janet Baker

*Award established