Robert Rabson Award
The Robert Rabson Award, first given by the Society in 2012, recognizes Bob Rabson’s steadfast advocacy of plant biology through creation of funding programs in the Department of Energy for research in basic energy sciences. The award recognizes postdoctoral scholars and faculty-level early career scientists, whether or not members of the Society, in academic, government and corporate research institutions who have made excellent contributions in the area of bioenergy research. The award is made biennially to a researcher who is no more than ten years post-PhD on January 1st of the year of presentation, with consideration of breaks in career relative to this time-frame. The award recipient is given a monetary award and a one-year membership in the Society.
2026 Winner: Josh Vermaas
Michigan State University, East Lansing
Dr. Josh Vermaas is recognized for his significant contributions to molecular bioenergy research in photosynthetic organisms. His work provides mechanistic insights into the molecular and biophysical processes underlying bioenergy systems by utilizing molecular simulation and molecular modeling approaches. Josh has developed our molecular-scale understanding of biological questions concerning photosynthesis, and the metabolism of photosynthetic products. His sustained focus on fundamental science with relevance to bioenergy and energy sciences has also provided tools and capabilities to further probe the biochemical systems underlying bioenergy.
Committee
Matthew Hudson, Chair (2021-2026)
Lydia Lam, past winner (2025-2026)
Christoff Benning (2023-2028)
Brent Brower-Toland (2023-2028)
Russ Johnson (2023-2028)
Sylvia Lee, Staff Liaison