This fall, the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences (CALS) will present its 2024 Honorary Recognition Awards to Ann Palmenberg and Bill Bruins.
The Honorary Recognition Award, now in its 115th year, is among the highest honors bestowed by CALS and recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their professions, their communities and the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Palmenberg, a professor emeritus of biochemistry, is esteemed for her high-impact efforts to understand the structure of viruses and how they operate. In 2009, she led a team that reported the genome sequences for all 99 known strains of the cold virus, providing a detailed blueprint for the virus. Her work has led to the creation of new antivirals and vaccines, and she has been honored with numerous national awards for her efforts, including election to the American Academy for the Advancement of Science and the American Academy of Microbiology. Palmenberg is also committed to educating the public, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, she frequently presented information to help increase awareness and understanding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. She has been a robust champion of women in science and has long urged scientific societies to broaden the gender and racial diversity of their members and conference speakers. Palmenberg, who was also affiliated with UW’s Institute for Molecular Virology, is respected for her remarkable contributions to research, mentorship, service and public outreach.
The Honorary Recognition Awards will be presented at the CALS Honorary Recognition Banquet on Thursday, Oct. 10, in Union South.