UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Andrew Patterson, John T. and Paige S. Smith Professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, has been elected as a fellow in the American Academy of Microbiology.
Fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology, an honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology, are elected annually through a highly selective, peer-review process, based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology.
Troy Ott, Peter and Ann Tombros Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, said he was delighted but not surprised to hear that Patterson was elected fellow in AAM.
“Andrew is an innovative scientist and sought after collaborator working on the host-metabolite-microbiota communication network — an area that is so critical to human and animal health,” Ott said. “Andrew brings innovative experimental, analytical and computational approaches along with an interdisciplinary mindset to advancing understanding in this critical field. Beyond his outstanding publication record, Andrew is a leader at Penn State and mentor for other faculty and we congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition.”
Patterson said he is grateful for the recognition and that it reflects the dedication of the Penn State students, postdocs, staff and collaborators who do hard work every day.
“Our science has depended on the support of the College of Agricultural Sciences, the Eberly College of Science, the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, the Institute for Energy and the Environment, the One Health Microbiome Center and the Penn State Cancer Institute,” he said. “We would not be here without sustained investment from federal agencies such as the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. This honor belongs to that entire community.”
Patterson also has an appointment as a professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in the Eberly College of Science and was named the associate director for shared and core facilities in the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences last fall.
“Andrew Patterson is not only an excellent scientist, he has a remarkable ability to bring together cross-disciplinary teams to tackle long-standing challenges,” said Christina Grozinger, director of the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences and Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology. “We are so grateful to have his expertise and insight helping guide our programs at the Huck Institutes.”
Patterson studies small-molecule metabolites — byproducts of metabolism — in biological systems, collectively known as the metabolome. The rapidly emerging field holds promise for understanding disease processes and improving human health, according to Patterson.
His current research focuses on understanding the host-metabolite-microbiota axis — specifically how the manipulation of gut bacteria affects host metabolites and how these metabolites interact with the host to modulate health and disease.
According to the American Academy of Microbiology, the 2026 fellowship class brings a wealth of knowledge of the microbial sciences with representation from across the globe. The 63 fellows hail from 14 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Israel, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.