McMaster Professor Karen Mossman Elected Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology

Hamilton, Ontario – McMaster University Professor Karen Mossman has been elected a 2026 Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology (AAM), a prestigious honor recognizing her distinguished contributions to the field of microbiology. The election was announced on February 18, 2026.

AAM Fellowship: A Recognition of Scientific Leadership

Fellows of the AAM represent the honorific leadership group and scientific think tank of the American Society for Microbiology. Election is a competitive, peer-reviewed process that acknowledges a distinguished record of scientific achievement and sustained, original contributions to microbiology. “Academy Fellows are leaders in their field whose work influences the direction of scientific discovery and its role in society,” said Vanessa Sperandio, chair of the Academy Governors. “Election to the Academy is a significant professional milestone, and I am delighted to welcome Karen Mossman as a member of the 2026 cohort.” [Source: McMaster University]

Professor Mossman’s Research Focus

Professor Mossman, a professor in McMaster’s Department of Medicine and a member of the Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, is globally recognized for her research in molecular virology and cancer immunotherapy. Her work centers on understanding the interactions between viruses and cells to develop new therapies for emerging infections, and cancer. [Source: McMaster University]

Key Contributions to Pandemic Response

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Mossman’s team played a crucial role in the first isolation of SARS-CoV-2 from Canadian patients, facilitating critical follow-on research efforts across the country. [Source: McMaster University], [Source: Global One Health Academy]

Previous Roles and Affiliations

From 2020 to 2024, Professor Mossman served as McMaster’s Vice-President of Research. She is also a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and was previously recognized by the Women’s Executive Network as a Top 100 – Canada’s Most Powerful Women. [Source: Global One Health Academy]

Academic Background

Professor Mossman completed her undergraduate Honors BSc in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Guelph in 1992. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry (Virology) from the University of Alberta in 1997 and a Post-doctoral Fellowship in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology from the same institution in 2001. [Source: Global One Health Academy]

Extensive Publication Record and International Collaboration

Professor Mossman has published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific publications and contributed to numerous books, including virology textbooks. Her research also extends to studying bats and their ability to host viruses without illness, aiming to improve understanding of future pandemic threats. She is known for her mentorship and extensive international collaborations. [Source: Global One Health Academy]

Social Media Recognition

The election of Professor Mossman to the AAM was celebrated on LinkedIn, with numerous colleagues congratulating her on the achievement. [Source: LinkedIn]