Santiago F. Elena, a researcher at the Institute of Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio, UV-CSIC), has been elected to the American Academy of Microbiology as part of the class of 2026, alongside 62 other prominent figures from around the world. 

Fellows of the American Academy of Microbiology, an honorific leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), are elected annually through a highly selective, peer-review process, based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology. The Academy received 145 nominations this year, electing 63 into the 2026 Fellowship Class, among them Santiago F. Elena.

“Academy Fellows are leaders in their field whose work influences the direction of scientific discovery and its role in society,” said Vanessa Sperandio, Ph.D., Chair of the Academy Governors. “Election to the Academy is a significant professional milestone, and I am delighted to welcome Santiago F. Elena as a member of the 2026 Cohort.”  

Santiago F. Elena is a researcher at the CSIC's Institute of Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), where he leads the Evolutionary Virology and Systems group. He is also an external lecturer at the Santa Fe Institute (NM, USA). He graduated in Biochemistry and completed his doctoral thesis on the Evolutionary Genetics of RNA Viruses at the University of Valencia. His work has always focused on understanding the mechanisms by which RNA viruses adapt to their hosts and how this adaptation results in the manipulation of cellular resources for their own benefit. Among other merits, he is an elected member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAA&S) and the Academia Europaea. He has published more than 300 articles, with over 20,000 citations and an h-index of 73.

“It is always an honor to receive recognition from colleagues who appreciate and value your work. It is particularly an honor when it comes from a society with the impact and prestige of the American Academy of Microbiology, whose members include multiple Nobel Prize winners,” says Santiago F. Elena.

The 2026 Fellowship Class brings a wealth of knowledge of the microbial sciences with representation across the globe. The 63 fellows hail from 14 countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, China (Mainland), Czech Republic, Denmark, Israel, Netherlands, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.

The American Society for Microbiology

The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 38,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences.  

ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to all audiences.