The Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) is proud to announce Professor Carmen Buchrieser as the recipient of the prestigious FEMS-Lwoff Award for Achievements in Microbiology 2025.
This award, named in honor of Professor André M. Lwoff, the first president of FEMS (1974-1976), recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to microbiology and helped address societal challenges through outstanding research.
Currently holding the position of Professor of exceptional class, and Head of Unit Biology of Intracellular Bacteria at the Institut Pasteur, Prof. Buchrieser has dedicated her career to unraveling the complexities of bacterial diseases. With a PhD from the University of Salzburg, Austria, and postdoctoral training in the United States and France, she has been at the forefront of research into intracellular bacteria, particularly focusing on Legionella. Her work investigates the genetic factors that confer bacterial virulence, mechanisms of pathogen evolution, and the interaction between pathogens and host functions—earning her international acclaim.
On receiving the news that one of their own Pasteurians had been made the FEMS-Lwoff Awardee 2025, Institut Pasteur Senior Executive Scientific Vice-President Christophe d’Enfert commented:
”We are immensely proud of Prof. Carmen Buchrieser for being honored with the FEMS-Lwoff Award 2025. This accolade is a testament to her groundbreaking work and dedication to understanding microbial pathogenesis. Carmen’s research at the Institut Pasteur has not only advanced our knowledge of bacterial diseases but also significantly contributed to the global scientific community’s efforts to combat infectious diseases. We celebrate her achievement and look forward to her continued contributions to the field of microbiology.’’
Prof. Buchrieser will deliver the Lwoff Prize Lecture during the Opening Plenary of the FEMS MICRO Milan 2025: Congress & Exhibition taking place 14-17 July 2025. As an Editor-in-Chief of our journal microLife and a fellow of the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM), her leadership in the field is exemplary.
Prof. Buchrieser’s pioneering research not only deepens our understanding of bacterial pathogenesis but also illuminates the intricate host pathways that pathogens exploit to thrive, underscoring her role as a leader in microbial research. The FEMS community congratulates her on this well-deserved recognition and we look forward to Prof. Buchrieser’s continued contributions to the microbiological sciences.
Listen to Microbes and Us Episode 28 | A Conversation with Prof. Carmen Buchrieser, our Lwoff Awardee for 2025