17 Mar 2026

Professor Jack Gilbert receives Nimoy-Knight “Live Long & Prosper” Award

Soil Star & AMI President, Jack Gilbert, recognized for his contributions to science and society.

Professor Jack Gilbert, Soil Star and President of Applied Microbiology International, has been named a recipient of the Nimoy-Knight Foundation’s “Live Long & Prosper” Award.

Based at the University of California, San Diego, Gilbert is recognized for his contributions to science and society.

"I am honored to receive the Live Long & Prosper Award from the Nimoy-Knight Foundation. Growing up, I admired Mr. Spock a someone who thought differently and often puzzled over human behavior! As a scientist, I felt caught between Spock’s logic and the bold curiosity of Captain Kirk. I suppose my personality has spent years trying to reconcile both. To be counted alongside past recipients like Neil deGrasse Tyson, Whoopi Goldberg, and Mayim Bialik is deeply humbling. As the father of an autistic son, this recognition also resonates personally. I’m committed to elevating neurodivergent perspectives and exploring how science, including microbiome research, can help us better understand human diversity. Live long and prosper."

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Professor Jack Gilbert

President of AMI, Associate Vice Chancellor of Marine Science, EIC for mSystems, University of California San Diego (UCSD), USA

Professor Jack Gilbert is a globally recognized leader in microbial ecology, with a research focus on understanding how microbial communities interact with their environments, from soils and oceans to the human body. He is based at the University of California San Diego (UCSD), where he also holds affiliations with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the Marine Biological Laboratory.

A co-founder of the Earth Microbiome Project and the American Gut Project, Gilbert has been instrumental in mapping the diversity and function of microbial ecosystems across the planet. His work extends beyond academia into innovation; he co-founded BiomeSense Inc., a company that produces automated microbiome sensors to monitor microbial communities in real-time.

With over 400 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters, Gilbert’s contributions to microbial ecology are vast. His expertise spans areas including environmental sustainability, human health, and climate change mitigation. He is also the co-author of "Dirt is Good", a popular science book aimed at educating parents on the importance of the microbiome for children's health.

In addition to his research, Gilbert is a vocal advocate for applying microbiome science to solve pressing global challenges such as food security, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agriculture. His interdisciplinary approach, combining fundamental science with practical applications, continues to shape policy, industry, and scientific advancements worldwide.