ASM Names 2027 Awards and Prize Program Honorees

ASM Names 2027 Awards and Prize Program Honorees

September 9, 2026

Washington, D.C.-ASM announced the recipients of its 2027 Awards and Prize Program. The awards recognize leading scientists and researchers in the microbial sciences for outstanding accomplishments and contributions to research, education and leadership.

For almost 40 years, the American Academy of Microbiology, the honorific leadership group and scientific think tank within ASM, has offered a wide range of awards via the ASM Awards program to highlight exceptional science at every career level and subdiscipline of the microbial sciences. In 2021, ASM expanded the program with the addition of the ASM Microbiome Prize. Each year, recipients are chosen by a selection committee from a competitive, peer-nominated list of candidates.

"The honorees of the 2027 ASM Awards and Prize Program represent the breadth, excellence and impact of the microbial sciences," said Vaughn Cooper, Ph.D., ASM President. "These awards recognize researchers whose groundbreaking achievements, transformative leadership and contributions to the field have made a lasting impact. Their continued commitment to advancing the microbial sciences is shaping the future of the field and inspiring the next generation of scientists."

The 2027 recipients are:

• ASM Lifetime Achievement Award: Ralph Baric, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
• ASM Alice C. Evans Award for Advancement of Women: Melanie Mormile, Ph.D., Missouri University of Science and Technology.
• ASM Award for Applied and Biotechnological Research: Mark Blaskovich, Ph.D., Institute for Molecular Bioscience University of Queensland.
• ASM Award for Basic Research: K. Heran Darwin, Ph.D., NYU Grossman School of Medicine.
• ASM Award for Early Career Applied and Biotechnological Research: Bryan Hsu, Ph.D., Virginia Tech.
• ASM Award for Early Career Basic Research: Wenhan Zhu, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
• ASM Award for Early Career Clinical Microbiology Research: David Gaston, M.D., Ph.D., Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
• ASM Award for Early Career Environmental Research: Wei Qin, Ph.D., University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
• ASM Award for Environmental Research: Mariangela Hungria, Ph.D., Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa).
• ASM Award for Graduate Education: Filipa Godoy-Vitorino, Ph.D., University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus.
• ASM Award for Research or Leadership in Clinical Microbiology: Alexander McAdam, M.D., Ph.D., Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School.
• ASM Award for Service: Michael Imperiale, Ph.D., University of Michigan.
• ASM Carski Award for Undergraduate Education: Pamela Brown, Ph.D., University of Missouri.
• ASM D.C. White Award for Interdisciplinary Research: Arturo Casadevall, M.D., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
• ASM Elizabeth O. King Lecturer Award: Sudha Chaturvedi, Ph.D., University at Albany and New York State Department of Health.
• ASM Honorary Diversity Lecturer Award: Raphael Valdivia, Ph.D., Duke University School of Medicine.
• ASM Microbiome Prize: Curtis Huttenhower, Ph.D., Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
• ASM Moselio Schaechter Award in Recognition of a Developing-Country Microbiologist: Alejandro Vila, Ph.D., University of Rosario, CONICET.
• ASM Scherago-Rubin Award for Clinical Microbiology: Jessica Larsen, B.S., Mayo Clinic Arizona.
• ASM William A. Hinton Award for Advancement of a Diverse Community of Microbiologists: Alfredo Torres, Ph.D., Meharry Medical College.

The 2027 Microbiome Data Prize is partially supported by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. The Elizabeth O. King Lecturer Award is supported by the New York Community Trust-Audrey Rheinstrom and Anne Blevins Fund.

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ASM is a global community shaping the future of the microbial sciences to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges. Established in 1899, ASM connects scientists across disciplines, sectors and borders to advance discovery, foster collaboration and drive innovation. 

With more than 38,000 members and a global network that reaches millions, ASM accelerates scientific progress through publishing, convening, advocacy and professional development. From climate change and antimicrobial resistance to industrial, basic and applied microbiology, ASM empowers the microbial sciences community to create solutions that benefit society and build what's next.