A Brighton professor whose work has helped protect global communities from water-borne disease has been awarded one of applied microbiology's highest honours.
19 October 2026
Professor James Ebdon, Professor of Environmental Microbiology and co-director of the University of Brighton’s Centre for Environment and Society has been named the winner of the prestigious Applied Microbiology International (AMI) 2026 John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize.
The award recognises outstanding achievements in applied microbiology that have delivered measurable improvements in public and environmental health and is named after John Snow, the pioneering physician widely regarded as the founder of modern epidemiology.
Professor Ebdon’s work focuses on understanding how water and sanitation systems influence the spread and control of infectious diseases. His research frequently uses bacteriophages (naturally occurring viruses that target bacteria), and microbial indicators to trace contamination and safeguard water supplies in vulnerable communities.
Over a 25-year career, his work has influenced frontline water and sanitation interventions globally. In India, he investigated typhoid transmission routes in densely populated informal settlements alongside partners at the National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED)and Emory University (US) & funded by the Gates Foundation.
Across Malawi, his research supported by UNICEF and GCRF identified contamination pathways in ground waters and in Nepal highlighted flaws in the construction and location of shallow wells.
His group’s expertise has also helped MSF improve emergency sanitation and faecal sludge treatment during humanitarian crises in Bangladesh. Closer to home, Professor Ebdon pitched the potential of bacteriophages to the UK Government’s Science, Innovation & Technology Select Committee, helping launch a landmark parliamentary inquiry in late 2022. He is also currently a co-investigator on a three-year project to create and test a novel tool to trace sources of pollution in UK water bodies.
Professor James Ebdon, said: “I am truly delighted and humbled to be the recipient of the 2026 AMI John Snow Public Health Innovation Prize.
"This award is named after a true sanitation hero of mine and is testament to the hard work and dedication of all the talented lab scientists, technicians, water and sanitation specialists and field engineers, with whom I’ve had the good fortune to work with over the past 25 years.”
Professor Rusi Jaspal, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Research and Knowledge Exchange, at the University of Brighton, added: "We are immensely proud to see Professor Ebdon honoured with the John Snow Prize. His career embodies our mission at Brighton, using research with radical relevance, tackling urgent, global issues with practical, real-world solutions. From field engineers in humanitarian zones to parliamentary inquiries in Westminster, James’s quarter-century of work demonstrates the vital role higher education plays in protecting public health."
Isolation of bacteriophages specific to E-coli thumbnail image
Professor James Ebdon
Professor of Environmental Microbiology – School of Applied Sciences
Centre for Environment and Society, Environment and Public Health Research Excellence Group