Michael Melkonian honoured for scientific excellence

Prof. Dr. Michael Melkonian, Senior Guest Fellow at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (MPIPZ), has been awarded the prestigious Award of Excellence by the Phycological Society of America (PSA). He is the first German phycologist to receive this distinguished honour.
 

Established in 1996, the PSA Award of Excellence recognises outstanding and sustained scientific contributions to phycology, as well as exceptional commitment to research and teaching. The selection of award recipients is carried out by an international committee based on independent reviews.

Prof. Melkonian’s research focuses on the evolution and genomics of microalgae. His work investigates, among other topics, how algal genomes have evolved over time and how genetic exchange between organisms contributes to the diversity and adaptability of algae.

The award was presented from 14–17 June 2026 during the annual meeting of the PSA in Juneau, Alaska. With this honour, Prof. Melkonian joins the ranks of scientists who have made lasting contributions to the field of modern algal research.

Prof. Melkonian received his PhD in Biology from the University of Hamburg in 1978 and subsequently held positions at the Universities of Münster and Cologne, where he was appointed Professor and Chair of Botany in 1988. Following his retirement in 2017, he was Senior Professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen (2019–2023). Today, he continues his research as a Senior Guest Fellow at the MPIPZ in Cologne.

His scientific achievements include serving as President of the International Phycological Society (1992–1994), being a member of the Phycological Society of America since 1980, and his election as a Corresponding Member of the Botanical Society of America.