Microbiologist Ariangela Kozik is among 2025 prize winners announced by the Microbiology Society, an international organization of microbiologists. She is receiving the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Prize 2025 with her cofounders of the Black Microbiologists Association: I’ah Donovan-Banfield, Nikea Pittman, Chelsey Spriggs, Ninecia Scott and Kishana Taylor. Kozik is an assistant professor of molecular, cellular, and developmental biology.
From the Microbiology Society:
"Dr Arianglea Kozik is Vice President of the Black Microbiologists Association. Dr Kozik was a postdoctoral fellow when she helped her friend, Dr Kishana Taylor, organise the first Black in Microbiology Week on Twitter in 2020. Now, she is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan in the Departments of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, and Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine. Dr Kozik leads a laboratory focused on the respiratory microbiome, using multi-omic strategies to study host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions to advance understanding of chronic respiratory diseases. Dr Kozik champions equity in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) through scholarship and initiatives aimed at transforming research systems for future generations. As Vice President of the Black Microbiologists Association (BMA), formerly known as Black In Microbiology, she supports multiple committees, manages initiatives like the Journal Club collection, and collaborates with partner organisations. Additionally, she serves on the Health Equity and Diversity Committee of the American Thoracic Society and the advisory board of 2030 STEM, a nonprofit dedicated to creating a more inclusive STEM ecosystem that better serves everyone. Driven by her belief that public engagement with science is critical to a just society, Dr Kozik's science communication outreach spans audiences from elementary school students to adults. She is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for the next generation of research scientists and increasing public awareness of the importance of science in the broader community."
Dr Ariangela J. Kozik said: “Winning this prize in recognition of this (sometimes undervalued) work is a profound honour that acknowledges not just our efforts, but the resilience and dedication of our entire community.”
Bios of her co-awardees and other prize winners are available in the full news release from the Microbiology Society.
The prizes will be awarded at Society’s Annual Conference 2025 in Liverpool from 31 March – 3 April, where the winners will present their Prize Lectures.
"The Microbiology Society’s Prizes recognise excellence and are awarded to those making significant contributions in the field of microbiology, based on nominations received from the membership. Winners are selected for their work to advance understanding of microbiology and champion the contribution made by microbiology, our members and their work in addressing global challenges, " according to their press announcement.
