The Department of Microbiology is pleased to announce that Dr. Aaron Mitchell has been selected to receive the George W. Beadle Award for outstanding contributions to the community of genetics researchers. "The 2026 GSA Awards: The brightest geneticists combine intellect with excellence in education, research, and mentorship" For link to the full original article, click here. This year’s award recipients bring to the table expertise and leadership that have shaped, and will shape, science for years to come. The Genetics Society of America is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of its GSA Awards, honoring distinguished service and achievement in the field of genetics. Nominated by their peers and selected by the GSA Board of Directors, this year’s awardees will be recognized with dedicated profiles to be published on this blog in the coming months. Additionally, a series of virtual awards seminars will spotlight the awardees’ careers and contributions. The 2026 recipients are recognized for a wide range of impactful achievements, including scientific discovery, mentorship, the creation of community resources, and education. Aaron MitchellUniversity of Georgia Aaron Mitchell is being recognized for his vast scientific contributions working on budding yeast and pathogenic fungi to elucidate genetic networks controlling meiosis and pH sensing, including developing genetic approaches that have transformed the field through their application to explain pH sensing, biofilm formation, and pathogenesis. This award also celebrates Mitchell’s commitment to diversifying the academic environment through his support of women and students from underrepresented backgrounds, particularly through his co-founding and leadership of the MBL Molecular Mycology Course (MOMY), which has revolutionized the study of fungi that cause infections in humans using yeast genetics.
