Congratulations to the 2026 SIMB Award Recipients

Please join us in congratulating the 2026 Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (SIMB) Annual Awards. These awardees and honorees will be recognized formally at the 76th SIMB Annual Meeting taking place August 2 through 5, 2026. These individuals have demonstrated commitment and great promise in their work and careers and have contributed notably to the profession.

Charles Porter Awardee: Ramon Gonzalez, MojiaBio
Charles Thom Awardee and Lecturer: Wenjun Zhang, University of California, Berkeley
Early Career Awardee: Nandita Kohli, Cargill
SIMB Fellowship Status: Michael Resch, National Laboratory of the Rockies
SIMB Fellowship Status: Steve Van Dien, Persephone Biosciences, Inc.
Waksman Outstanding Teacher Awardee: Mark Blenner, University of Delaware 
Student Diversity Travel Awardee: Emily Reagle, Yale University Microbial Pathogenesis Graduate Program, Dr. Jason Crawford’s Laboratory
Student Diversity Travel Awardee: Kevaughn Prout, Sustainable Bioproducts Lab, South Dakota State University

About SIMB
The Society for Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology (SIMB) is a nonprofit, international association dedicated to the advancement of microbiological sciences, especially as they apply to industrial products, biotechnology, materials, and processes. Founded in 1949, SIMB promotes the exchange of scientific information through its meetings and publications and serves as liaison among the specialized fields of microbiology. Membership in the Society is extended to all scientists and companies in the general field of microbiology.