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About

Jo Handelsman is a visionary microbiologist and science policy leader whose work has reshaped our understanding of microbial communities and their societal impact. Her research centers on the ecology and evolution of antibiotic resistance, the role of microbial diversity in plant and human health, and the urgent need for microbiology literacy. Among her most influential contributions is the landmark paper "The urgent need for microbiology literacy in society" (2019, 184 citations), which argues that microbes profoundly influence human health, ecosystems, and planetary function—calling for a fundamental shift in public education. Handelsman is perhaps best known for pioneering the concept of the "microbiome" and for discovering the "Handelsman effect," a mechanism of antibiotic resistance spread. Her work has earned over 30,000 citations, reflecting her immense impact. A former Associate Director for Science at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, she also co-founded the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery and has received numerous honors, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring. Her research continues to bridge microbiology, education, and policy, inspiring a new generation of scientists to recognize the invisible world that sustains life on Earth.