The Selman A. Waksman Award in Microbiology is awarded by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences "in recognition of excellence in the field of microbiology." Named after Selman Waksman, it was first awarded in 1968. A $5000 prize is included in the honor. List of Selman A. Waksman Award in Microbiology winners Source: National Academy of Sciences Pascale Cossart (2021) For her pioneering contributions to the field of cellular microbiology and her fundamental work uncovering novel mechanisms that govern the interplay between the pathogenic intracellular bacterium Listeria and its mammalian host, as well as her many contributions to supporting microbiology worldwide. Sharon R. Long (2019) For pioneering research defining the molecular mechanisms underlying the important nitrogen-fixing symbiosis between Rhizobium and legumes, research that has had major implications for microbe-host interactions in general. Bernard Roizman (2017) For his many seminal contributions to understanding the mechanisms by which herpes viruses replicate and cause disease. Susan Gottesman (2015) For transforming our understanding of post-transcriptional regulation in bacteria through mechanisms of controlled proteolysis and small RNAs. Jeffrey Gordon (2013) For his pioneering interdisciplinary studies on the human microbiome and for defining the genomic and metabolic foundations of its contributions to health and disease. Carol A. Gross (2011) For her pioneering studies on mechanisms of gene transcription and its control, and for defining the roles of sigma factors during homeostasis and under stress. Jonathan Beckwith (2009) For fundamental contributions to gene regulation, protein targeting and secretion, and disulfide biochemistry, and also for the development of gene fusions as an experimental tool. Richard M. Losick (2007) For discovering alternative bacterial sigma factors and his fundamental contributions to understanding the mechanism of bacterial sporulation. Lucy Shapiro (2005) For her pioneering work revealing the bacterial cell as an integrated system with transcriptional circuitry interwoven with the 3-D deployment of regulatory and morphological proteins. Stanley Falkow (2003) For his many contributions to understanding the mechanisms by which bacteria cause infection and disease. Norman R. Pace (2001) For revolutionizing microbiology by developing methods by which microorganisms can be directly detected, identified, and phylogenetically related without the need for cultivation in the laboratory. R. John Collier (1999) For his seminal contribution to the understanding of bacterial pathogenesis by the elucidation of the action of the diphtheria toxin. Carl R. Woese (1997) For discovering a kingdom of life, the Archaea—using ribosomal RNA sequences for phylogenetic studies of microorganisms—which has influenced concepts of