Ruth Ley, Director of the Department of Microbiome Science, has been awarded the IFF Science Award 2026. Together with Emily Balskus, Professor at Harvard University, she was honoured for their groundbreaking scientific achievements in microbiome science research.

Ruth Ley is known for her pioneering work in the field of microbiome science, and her research has changed the way people understand the influence of microbial communities on health and disease, thus helping to establish the microbiome as a key area of contemporary biomedical research.

Using insights from evolutionary biology, ecology, and genomics, her research has shown how the long-established relationships between humans and their microbes influence biological function. Having linked basic discoveries to issues concerning human health, she has contributed to a new understanding of the microbiome’s role in medicine and society.

The award was presented at the IFF Innovation Day in Madison, USA, on 14th October 2026.