The American Academy of Microbiology, a leadership group within the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), has elected University of Houston College of Pharmacy Professor Vincent H. Tam, Pharm.D., FIDSA, FIDP, BCIDP, to the Fellowship Class of 2026.
Fellows are elected annually through a highly selective, peer-review process based on their records of scientific achievement and original contributions that have advanced microbiology. Tam is the only Pharm.D. among this year’s 63-member cohort.
The academy fellowship is one of the highest honors in the microbial sciences, recognizing leaders whose work has significantly shaped research, policy and practice in microbiology and infectious diseases.
“I am deeply honored by this election and grateful to join a cohort of scientists I so highly admire,” Tam said. “This peer recognition is a meaningful testament to the years I have dedicated to microbiology research, and it inspires my continued dedication to advancing the field.”
Tam is internationally recognized for his research in antimicrobial pharmacodynamics, resistance suppression and precision dosing strategies designed to optimize antimicrobial therapy. His work integrates microbiology, pharmacology and mathematical modeling to improve treatment outcomes while combating the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. His scholarship has influenced clinical practice guidelines and helped shape stewardship strategies aimed at preserving the effectiveness of existing antibiotics.
Over the course of his career, Tam has secured more than $12 million in research funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, private foundations and the pharmaceutical industry. His body of work includes more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, eight book chapters and two U.S. patents. He has mentored numerous graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early-career investigators who now contribute to infectious diseases research and clinical practice nationwide.
Tam’s previous honors include the American College of Clinical Pharmacy’s Therapeutic Frontiers Lecture Award (2024); Fellow of the Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (2024); the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) Foundation Literature Award for Sustained Contributions (2019); Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (2018); membership on the ASHP Best Practices Award-winning team at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital (now CHI St. Luke’s Baylor Medical Center) Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Epidemiology (2010); and the University of Houston Awards for Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creative Activity (2008 and 2025).
“Academy Fellows are leaders in their field whose work influences the direction of scientific discovery and its role in society,” said Vanessa Sperandio, Ph.D., Chair of the Academy Governors. “Election to the Academy is a significant professional milestone, and I am delighted to welcome Vincent Tam as a member of the 2026 Cohort.”
The American Society for Microbiology is one of the largest professional societies dedicated to the life sciences and is composed of over 38,000 scientists and health practitioners. ASM's mission is to promote and advance the microbial sciences. ASM advances the microbial sciences through conferences, publications, certifications, educational opportunities and advocacy efforts. It enhances laboratory capacity around the globe through training and resources. It provides a network for scientists in academia, industry and clinical settings. Additionally, ASM promotes a deeper understanding of the microbial sciences to all audiences.