image: Professor Raquel Peixoto
Credit: Raquel Peixoto
Applied Microbiology International (AMI) is delighted to announce that its President, Professor Raquel Peixoto, has been elected as a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), in recognition of her outstanding contributions to microbiology and marine conservation.
Professor Peixoto was among 87 scientists elected as regular members of TWAS on 5 November 2026. Her election will become effective on 1 January 2027, when she will officially join an international community of scientists dedicated to advancing scientific excellence and sustainable development.
Based at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, where she is Professor of Marine Science, Raquel is internationally recognised for her pioneering research into host–microbe interactions in marine ecosystems and the development of coral probiotics as a tool for reef conservation.
Transformed understanding
Her research has transformed understanding of how beneficial microorganisms can support coral health and improve resilience to environmental stress, including rising ocean temperatures and coral bleaching. She was the first to demonstrate that targeted manipulation of microbial communities could enhance coral resistance and resilience to climate-driven stress.
Bridging fundamental microbial ecology with practical conservation solutions, her work has opened new possibilities for protecting and restoring coral reefs in the face of accelerating global decline.
A significant example of this work is the Coral Probiotics Village, which Raquel founded and directs. The world’s first underwater experimental laboratory of its kind, it provides a platform for testing microbial therapies directly on reef organisms in natural conditions. The initiative has become an international reference point for applied reef restoration, supporting the development of controlled and scalable interventions.
Impactful research
Her research has been published in leading scientific journals, including Nature, Nature Microbiology, Science Advances, Nature Climate Change and The ISME Journal. Her achievements have also been recognised through numerous awards, including the International Coral Reef Society Mid-Career Award, the Saudi National Champion award for the Frontiers Planet Prize and the Golden Medal at Geneva International. She was also named among the Explorers Club 50 class of 2026, recognising exceptional researchers and explorers making a difference around the world.
Alongside her research, Raquel contributes to international scientific collaboration and marine conservation through her involvement with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) SSC Microbial Conservation Specialist Group. With former AMI President Professor Jack Gilbert, she co-chairs the specialist group which sits within the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of IUCN and was launched in July 2025.
Professor Peixoto has recently completed a term as President of the International Society for Microbial Ecology (ISME) and Co-Chair of the Conservation Committee at the International Coral Reef Society (ICRS), where she also led the International Coral Reef Society’s (ICRS) climate delegations to the UN COP conferences.
Scientific excellence
In 2023, Professor Peixoto was named the winner of AMI’s inaugural Rachel Carson Prize for microbiology, which at the time was awarded to a scientist who has used microbiology to help further our understanding of ocean biodiversity or directly in solutions that conserve and sustainably use marine resources for sustainable development.
Her election to TWAS recognises not only her scientific excellence but also the importance of translating microbiological research into practical solutions for some of the world’s key environmental challenges.
Professor Peixoto said: “I am honoured to be elected a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences. I see this recognition as an acknowledgement of the importance of microbiology in addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Our work demonstrates the extraordinary potential of beneficial microorganisms to support coral health and strengthen the resilience of marine ecosystems. I hope this recognition will help further highlight the role of microbial science in protecting biodiversity and building a more sustainable future.”
AMI congratulates Raquel on this significant international recognition and celebrates her continued contribution to advancing applied microbiology, protecting biodiversity and building a more sustainable future.
AMI Chief Executive Dr Lucy Harper said: “Raquel’s election as a Fellow of TWAS is a tremendous achievement and reflects the global importance of microbiology in addressing challenges that affect us all. Her work exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary science and international collaboration, translating microbiological discoveries into practical solutions for biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability. We are delighted to have her leading AMI as President.”
Notes to editors
- Applied Microbiology International (AMI) is the oldest microbiology society in the UK and with more than half of its membership outside the UK, is truly global, serving microbiologists based in universities, private industry and research institutes around the world.
- AMI provides funding to encourage research and broad participation at its events and to ensure diverse voices are around the table working together to solve the sustainability development goals it has chosen to support.
- AMI publishes leading industry magazine, The Microbiologist, and in partnership with Oxford University Press, publishes three internationally acclaimed journals. It gives a voice to applied microbiologists around the world, amplifying their collective influence and informing international, evidence-based, decision making.