John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize Previous Winners
On this page, you can find previous winners of the John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize. Established in 2022, the award recognises professionals, researchers, and innovators whose work delivers meaningful improvements in public health, particularly in clean water and sanitation.
John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize 2025
Dr José Luis Balcazar
Dr José Luis Balcázar, Senior Researcher at the Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA-CERCA) in Spain, was named as the winner of the John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize as part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards.
A leading researcher at the One Health interface, Dr Balcázar’s work focuses on antimicrobial resistance, particularly the role of bacteriophages in resistance dissemination and environmental transmission. His research has generated important insights into how polluted water systems contribute to the spread of resistance genes, while also identifying microbiological approaches that support bioremediation and improved water safety.
Through extensive research output and international collaboration, his work demonstrates how applied microbiology can deliver measurable improvements in public health and strengthen access to safe water, directly reflecting the aims of the John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize.
Read more: Dr José Luis Balcazar named as winner of John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize
Previous Winners
Dr Kim Barrett
Dr Kim Barrett, Vice Dean for Research and Distinguished Professor of Physiology and Membrane Biology at the UC Davis School of Medicine, was named as the winner of the John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize 2024 as part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards.
A leading research physiologist, Dr Barrett’s work focuses on gastrointestinal health, infectious diarrhoeal disease, and the role of the intestinal epithelium in health and disease. Her research has significantly advanced understanding of host–microbe interactions, barrier function, and the mechanisms through which probiotics and microbial processes influence gut health.
Through extensive, sustained research output, her work has delivered important insights with clear relevance to public health, infection, and disease prevention, directly reflecting the aims of the John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize.
Read more: Kim Barrett named as winner of John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize 2024
Dr Thomas Thompson
Dr Thomas Thompson of Queen’s University Belfast was named as the inaugural winner of the John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize, part of the Applied Microbiology International Horizon Awards.
Dr Thompson’s research explores the use of cold atmospheric pressure plasma to address major public health challenges, including antimicrobial resistance, bacterial biofilms, and water contamination. His work demonstrates how plasma-based microbiological approaches can enhance antibiotic effectiveness and support the degradation of antibiotic residues in wastewater, contributing to improved water quality and sanitation.
By combining applied microbiology, bioinformatics, and innovative technologies, his research delivers practical solutions aligned with clean water, infection control, and global health priorities, reflecting the core aims of the John Snow Prize.
Read more: Dr Thomas Thompson named as winner of inaugural John Snow Prize