The Leeuwenhoek Medal, one of the Royal Society’s most prestigious accolades. Named after the Dutch microscopist Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, often referred to as the ‘Father of Microbiology’, the prize recognises excellence in the fields of bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, or microscopy. Sir Mike Ferguson will receive the accolade for his major contributions in molecular parasitology and for its application to the treatment of neglected infectious diseases.