UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State presents annual awards recognizing researchers whose work unites disciplines — from agriculture and biomedical engineering to soil science and computational biology. The awards were established to encourage collaboration across academic disciplines, rooted in the One Health paradigm, which holds that human, agricultural and environmental health are interconnected through microbial ecosystems.
The awards support students, postdocs, staff and faculty working in microbiome science, recognizing contributions ranging from basic discovery to practical application. This year's honorees represent that range, with work spanning novel clinical therapies for gut diseases, agricultural soil resilience, and technologies advancing into the community and commercial marketplace.
“This event is one of my favorite days of the year,” said Erika Ganda, executive committee member of the OHMC, associate professor of food animal microbiomes, and Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Global Antimicrobial Resistance. “Academia hands out rejection constantly, so we have to be just as intentional about celebration, taking the time to actually see each other's work and say so out loud. Watching this tradition grow, and seeing more people recognized each year, reminds me why that matters.”
This year, the One Health Microbiome Center named five award recipients, celebrating meaningful impact and achievement across microbiome science. The award winners were announced at a networking luncheon held on Aug. 28 in the Business Building Atrium at University Park.
Estelle Couradeau, assistant professor of soils and environmental microbiology, received the Driving Success Award, recognizing her commitment to mentorship and fostering the growth of those around her.
"Receiving the Driving Success Award is a tremendous honor," Couradeau said. "What makes it particularly meaningful is that the nomination came from my group. Their recognition means more than I can express. I care deeply about mentoring, supporting growth, and helping others succeed, so to be honored by the very people I strive to support is both humbling and deeply rewarding."
The full list of 2026 OHMC Award recipients:
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Community Engagement Award: Recognizes individuals dedicated to communicating and engaging with broad audiences, such as community stakeholders, policy makers, youth, etc.
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Bethany Swencki-Underwood, research technologist in the Department of Biology, Eberly College of Science
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The Carolee Bull Leadership Award: Recognizes trainees that demonstrate exceptional leadership, service and initiative — serving as a peer role model
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Samantha Seibel, a doctoral student in the Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program
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Creative Award: Recognizes individuals who communicate/apply complex scientific concepts in an engaging or artful way — making science more accessible/interesting to a wide audience
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Sabrina Elkassas, postdoctoral researcher in ecosystem science and management, College of Agricultural Sciences
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Rising Star Research Award: Recognizes early-career faculty with exceptional independent achievement in grant funding, scientific breakthroughs, mentoring and/or leadership.
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Jordan Bisanz, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, Eberly College of Science; Dorothy Foehr and J. Lloyd Huck Early Career Chair in Host-Microbiome Interactions; and director of the OHMC Collaboratory
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Driving Success Award: Recognizes faculty who champion mentee and peer academic success and personal growth — providing guidance, support and encouragement.
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Estelle Couradeau, assistant professor of soils and environmental microbiology, College of Agricultural Sciences
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"I'm grateful to be part of a community where teamwork and communication are valued, creating a culture where we can learn from one another and become more capable and independent scientists," Swencki-Underwood said. "This recognition encourages me to continue fostering that environment by empowering others to develop their technical abilities, gain independence and ultimately pass that knowledge forward."
The recipients were nominated by their peers and selected by an OHMC awards committee from a pool of nominees. The OHMC Award Series is supported by discretionary giving to the center.
About the OHMC
As one of the largest and most active units in the field, the OHMC is on a global mission to define the future of health and build a legacy of contributions that promote the general welfare of humans, agriculture and the environment. Learn more on the OHMC website.