VAAM Medal of Honour
The VAAM Medal of Honour is a special award for outstanding services to the VAAM. Members may propose suitable candidates to the VAAM Presidium.
The nomination must be supported by at least three full members and should be addressed to the President of the VAAM. The VAAM Board decides on the award by a simple majority following a unanimous resolution by the Presidium.
The award ceremony usually takes place following a general meeting. Each person may receive the VAAM Medal only once.
Dr. Harald Engelhard receives the first VAAM Medal of Honour, Berlin 2026
Harald Engelhard and VAAM President Nicole Frankenberg-Dinkel
(Foto: Haag-Richter/ VAAM)
The VAAM Medal of Honour was awarded for the first time to Dr Harald Engelhardt, Martinsried at the 2026 Annual Conference in Berlin (see also BIOspektrum 03/26).
Harald Engelhardt is a long-standing member of the VAAM and former spokesperson for the Microbial Cell Biology Section. He has made a significant contribution to raising public awareness of microbiology, e.g. through his involvement in the Microbiology Infoportal. It was on his initiative that the ‘Microbe of the Year’ award was established; this has been presented annually since 2014 and has become a hallmark of the VAAM.
The VAAM extends its warmest thanks to Harald Engelhardt for his many years of commitment and congratulates him on receiving the first VAAM Medal of Honour!
