The Art of Advocacy Award pays tribute to a visionary advocate who advances research, information, and/or support services to benefit both organizations and health.

Joseph McInerney received his MS in Human Genetics and Genetic Counseling from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 1976. He then spent more than two decades at the Biological Sciences Curriculum Study (BSCS), in Colorado, where he was director for 14 years and wrote textbooks and other educational materials in biology, with a focus on genetics and evolution. Since October 2000, Joseph has been executive director of NCHPEG—the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics—where he continues to develop educational materials in human genetics and genetic medicine for a broad range of health professionals.

In addition to his educational publications, Joseph has published more than 100 articles, chapters, and reviews in scientific and science-education literature. He served on the editorial board of the Quarterly Review of Biology for 20 years and Community Genetics for 10 years. In 1996, he was elected a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, in recognition of his contributions to science education. In 2005, Joseph received the award for excellence in human genetics education from the American Society of Human Genetics, and the Natalie Weissberger Paul Award for national achievement from the National Society of Genetic Counselors. He is also the recipient of the 2009 Special Recognition Award from the National Human Genome Research Institute.