Frank van de Veerdonk, internist‑infectiologist at Radboud university medical center, has been appointed Fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology. With this distinction, he joins the ASM Class of 2026, an internationally selected group of 63 fellows from 14 countries. The recognition honors his work at the intersection of microbiology and immunology, in which he unravels the interaction between pathogens and the immune system, particularly in fungal infections. A hallmark of his research is that he not only studies the pathogen itself, but also focuses on the patient’s immune response.
In 2021, Van de Veerdonk was appointed Professor of Immunotherapy for Infectious Diseases. His research investigates how medications that modulate the immune system can be used in infectious diseases such as influenza and fungal infections. He also studies how immunotherapy can help restore balance within the immune system. His work centers on host‑directed medicine (HDM): approaches in which the patient’s immune response, rather than the pathogen alone, plays a central role.
His research gained significant momentum in 2015, when he discovered that one in five ICU patients with influenza develops a severe Aspergillus fungal infection. This finding sparked extensive research into how viruses disrupt immune defenses in ways that allow fungi to cause disease more easily. Building on this work, Van de Veerdonk now leads the international HDM‑FUN consortium, which holds a unique global position in the field of immunotherapy for fungal diseases and the development of innovative, patient‑centered treatment strategies.
With his work, he aims to pave the way for more targeted immunotherapy, tailoring treatments to the underlying immune mechanisms and risk factors of individual patients. His appointment strengthens his ambition to accelerate precision immunotherapy for infectious diseases by more closely linking fundamental immunology, translational research, and clinical care. In line with this vision, he founded the International Immunotherapy Society for Fungal Diseases in 2026, bringing together international expertise to accelerate innovation in this field.
In the coming years, he aims to contribute to international collaborations, new research programs, and the training of a new generation of scientists working at the intersection of infection and immunity. In a recent publication, he discusses the future of training for physicians specializing in Infectious Diseases.
This positions him as one of the driving forces behind a new era in infectious disease research—one in which not only the pathogen takes center stage, but especially the architecture of the patient’s immune response. With this vision, Van de Veerdonk aims not only to develop new therapies, but also to help shape the international field of immunotherapy for infectious diseases.
Van de Veerdonk: 'I see this appointment not only as a personal honor, but especially as recognition of the importance of studying the immune system in severe infectious diseases. By better understanding which immune mechanisms are disrupted in a patient, we can treat in a much more targeted and effective way.'
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM), with more than 38,000 members worldwide, is one of the largest international life sciences organizations. ASM promotes microbial science through conferences, publications, education, and global collaboration. Appointment as a Fellow is considered a prestigious distinction for researchers who have made significant contributions to advancing the field. During the ASM Microbe Conference (June 4–7), a ceremonial event will be held to induct the new Fellows.
