Nominate the next Microbiome Medal Laureate

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Microbiome Medal, established in 2025 and awarded annually by the One Health Microbiome Center (OHMC) at Penn State, honors scholars or a group of scholars who demonstrate excellence, acumen and ingenuity in research, mentorship and service to the global field of microbiome science. The recognition places emphasis on those who motivate and accelerate the next generation of microbiome scientists, fundamentally enriching humanity and improving the lives of many people, including those they may never meet. 

“The Microbiome Medal stands for a powerful and principled message — that true academic leadership involves not only visionary discovery but also the vital work of shaping the future of the scientific community through unparalleled service,” said Seth Bordenstein, director of the OHMC, professor of biology and of entomology and Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Microbiome Sciences.

Members of the global microbiome research community at any stage of their career are encouraged to nominate a scientist or group of scientists who exemplify this mission of the Microbiome Medal. Nominators should provide the following materials by April 10 for each candidate to microbiomecenter@psu.edu with the subject line "Microbiome Medal Nomination."

• Full CV of the nominee
• A nomination letter
  • Multiple letters from different sources are welcome, but no more than one letter of support should come from the same primary institution as the nominee 
  • Letters should not exceed three pages

The recipient of the Microbiome Medal receives a custom-crafted bronze medallion, a cash prize and travel support for a multi-day visit to Penn State and the OHMC. The visit includes two lectures that “celebrate and inspire creative, intellectual and nurturing impacts of the scientific endeavor,” according to Bordenstein.

In December 2025, the OHMC named Professor Thomas Bosch, senior research professor at Kiel University and German National Academy of Sciences member, as the inaugural recipient of the Microbiome Medal. He was selected in recognition of his decades of transformative contributions in research, leadership and global service. Bosch, known for his field-defining work on the roles of host-associated microbiomes in cancer, longevity, evolution and neuroscience, visited Penn State for two days, delivering two public lectures and meeting with faculty, trainees and researchers across the OHMC.

“Time and again, Thomas says ‘yes’ when he’s called into action for service across the globe,” Bordenstein said. “Time and again, he’s invited countless microbiome scientists early in their careers to Kiel for building international relations and reputations. Time and again, he looks to learn with deep curiosity and inquisitiveness. Time and again, he engages the community to elevate the community.”

According to Bordenstein, by honoring those who decode the invisible base of the biosphere and inspire a generation of scholars, the Microbiome Medal signals to the global community that mastery of microbiome science cements a legacy of intellectual courage and ensures that today’s contributions become the foundational continuity for tomorrow’s thinkers and doers.  

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.