David Relman, the Thomas C. and Joan M. Merigan Professor of Medicine, Professor of Microbiology & Immunology, and Center for International Security and Cooperation Senior Fellow at Stanford University, was awarded the 2025 Barry Prize for Distinguished Intellectual Achievement from the American Academy of Sciences and Letters at a ceremony on November 12th in Washington D.C.

Relman’s landmark analyses of the behavior of microorganisms in the human body have made seminal contributions to medical science and public health. He was the first to describe microbiomes in several parts of the body using modern molecular methods and has contributed to the identification of important disease agents, as well as the development of methods for pathogen discovery.

“The Academy honors Dr. Relman’s distinguished contributions to humanity’s understanding of the microscopic ecosystems inside us, the pathogens that threaten us, and the value of honest scientific discourse, to the benefit of human health and welfare,” the organization announced.

This prestigious annual prize, open to scholars across diverse fields and disciplines, honors those whose work has made outstanding contributions to humanity’s knowledge, appreciation, and cultivation of the good, the true, and the beautiful. Recipients are nominated by members of the Academy and appointed by the board of directors.

The American Academy of Sciences and Letters promotes scholarship and honors outstanding achievement in the arts, sciences, and learned professions. It encourages the exchange of ideas within academia and society at large through scholarly programming and platforms for the dissemination of research across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and engineering. The organization also supports promising young scholars and champions traditional liberal arts ideals and standards of intellectual excellence.

Visit academysciencesletters.org for the announcement and list of recipients.