Rob Knight Named 2025 Scientist of the Year by ARCS San Diego

Known as a pioneer in the study of the roles that microbes play in human health and disease and the functioning of ecosystems, his work has linked microbes to a range of health conditions including obesity and inflammatory bowel disease, has enhanced our understanding of microbes in environments ranging from the oceans to the tundra, and made high-throughput sequencing techniques accessible to thousands of researchers around the world.

"The impact of microbes on human and environmental health is profound, and the San Diego chapter of ARCS is both honored and thrilled to have one of the world's leading microbiome researchers, Dr. Rob Knight, as our 2025 Scientist of the Year,” said Leslie Bruce, president of the ARCS Foundation San Diego Chapter. “Not only has Dr. Knight contributed more than 900 scientific articles in the field, his lab has produced many vital software tools and laboratory techniques that enable the work of other researchers as well. Growing evidence suggests gut microbes also influence the brain, potentially affecting mood, behavior and psychiatric illnesses. By better understanding the microbial world Dr. Knight's work helps improve both human physical and mental health."

"Rob's groundbreaking work at the intersection of microbiology, data science and health has transformed our understanding of the invisible world that profoundly influences both human well-being and the health of all," said Gabriel G. Haddad, M.D., Distinguished Professor, vice dean for children’s academic programs and chair for the Department of Pediatrics. "His contributions to UC San Diego, the scientific community and global health are immeasurable, inspiring future generations of researchers to continue exploring the vast potential of the microbiome for better health outcomes."

Recipient of numerous local and national awards including the 2019 National Institutes of Health Pioneer Award, Knight has also authored two books, “Follow Your Gut: The Enormous Impact of Tiny Microbes” (Simon & Schuster, 2015) and coauthor of “Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System (St. Martin’s Press, 2017).

“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by the ARCS Foundation as the 2025 Scientist of the Year,” said Knight. “This recognition is not only a reflection of my work but also a testament to the collaborative spirit of my exceptional colleagues and the remarkable opportunities provided by UC San Diego and the wider scientific community. Together, we continue to push the boundaries of what we know about microbes and their crucial role in shaping life on Earth.”

Since its inception in 1985, the ARCS Foundation has been a philanthropic organization led by women with the goal of supporting scientific advancement in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) by providing unrestricted funding to help the country’s brightest graduate scholars. As they celebrate 40 years of philanthropic support, the San Diego Chapter of ARCS is proud to have provided more than $12.8 million to support graduate students at UC San Diego, San Diego State University, University of San Diego and Scripps Research.