Less Cancer honors Fauquier County student for microplastics water filter

By AI, Created 10:25 PM UTC, May 20, 2026, /AGP/ – Less Cancer named Fauquier County student Mia Heller the inaugural winner of its Student Prize for Science and Public Health Impact. The award spotlights her water-filter system that removes 95.5% of microplastics and highlights the group’s push to back youth-led public health innovation.

Why it matters: - Mia Heller’s project targets microplastics in water, a growing public health and environmental concern. - The award puts a spotlight on student-led science that aims at practical prevention, not just research. - Less Cancer is using the prize to encourage young leaders focused on evidence-based solutions for healthier communities.

What happened: - Less Cancer named Fauquier County student Mia Heller the inaugural recipient of the Less Cancer Student Prize for Science and Public Health Impact. - Heller is a recent graduate of Kettle Run High School in Nokesville, Virginia. - Less Cancer recognized Heller for developing a system designed to help remove microplastics from water. - Heller received a commemorative trophy, a $1,000 award and a signed copy of Exposure by Less Cancer board member Rob Bilott.

The details: - Heller said her idea came after learning that U.S. government agencies are not funding water filtration programs. - Heller’s water filter eliminates 95.5% of microplastics. - The new Less Cancer student prize is designed to recognize young leaders who show innovation, research, communication and commitment to improving public health through science. - Rob Bilott’s work helped expose the dangers of PFAS contamination and inspired the film Dark Waters. - Less Cancer was founded more than 20 years ago in Fauquier County, Virginia. - The organization focuses on prevention, public health education, environmental health and evidence-based community programming. - Less Cancer has worked with universities, physicians, researchers, nurses, scientists, students and public health leaders across the country. - The organization also says it remains rooted in its Virginia community origins. - More information is available in Less Cancer’s announcement.

Between the lines: - The award fits a broader push to elevate younger voices in science and public health at a time when misinformation remains a challenge. - Bill Couzens framed the prize as part of Less Cancer’s focus on prevention, science and community engagement. - Couzens said the organization sees the next generation of leaders as central to shaping better public health outcomes.

What’s next: - Less Cancer is likely to continue using the student prize to identify and elevate future science and public health leaders. - Heller’s project may draw attention from educators, researchers and advocates interested in low-cost water filtration and microplastics removal. - The organization’s broader workshops, scholarships, partnerships and national initiatives are set to continue supporting prevention-focused programming.

The bottom line: - Less Cancer is betting that youth-led science can advance practical public health solutions, and Mia Heller’s project is the first example.