Washington, D.C. – February 13, 2026
The American Academy of Microbiology (the Academy) has elected Dr. Michelle O'Malley and 62 peers to the Class of 2026. Fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology, an honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), are elected annually through a highly selective, peer-review process, based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology. The Academy received 145 nominations this year, electing 63 into the 2026 Fellowship Class.
“Academy Fellows are leaders in their field whose work influences the direction of scientific discovery and its role in society,” said Vanessa Sperandio, Ph.D., Chair of the Academy Governors. “Election to the Academy is a significant professional milestone, and I am delighted to welcome Dr. Michelle O'Malley as a member of the 2026 Cohort.”
Dr. Michelle O'Malley, lead Principal Investigator of ExFAB and esteemed UC Santa Barbara faculty member, engineers anaerobic microbes and consortia for sustainable chemical & material production, bioremediation, and natural product discovery. The 2026 Fellowship Class brings a wealth of knowledge of the microbial sciences with representation across the globe. The 63 fellows hail from 14 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China (Mainland), Czech Republic, Denmark, Israel, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.
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The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 38,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences. ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to all audiences.
Learn about the 2026 Fellowship Class.