London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Peter Piot, from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), has been awarded the Virchow Prize 2026 for his pioneering work in global health. 

Professor Piot, who was Director of LSHTM from 2010-2021, received the prize jointly with Professor Jean-Jacques Muyembe, Director of the Institut National de Recherche Biomédicale in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 

The prize recognises the pair’s pioneering and enduring leadership since their co-discovery of Ebola 50 years ago, with the committee praising them for “advancing equitable, multilateral cooperation and governance that have fundamentally strengthened global preparedness and solidarity in the face of infectious disease outbreaks”. 

In 1976 they worked together on the first identified outbreak of Ebola in DRC. Professor Muyembe led field investigations under challenging conditions, gathering crucial samples and laying the foundation for identifying the Ebola virus. At the same time, initially in Belgium, Professor Piot analysed the samples from the field and contributed to the scientific characterisation of this previously unknown pathogen. He then travelled to the remote region of Yambuku and joined Professor Muyembe’s team undertaking field investigations on the source and spread of the virus.

Over the decades since then, their careers have seen them play a leading role in the development of epidemic and global health research, with continued collaboration. Before becoming Director of LSHTM, Professor Piot’s roles included Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Founding Executive Director of UNAIDS. He is currently a co-chair of the Accra Reset’s High-Level Panel on Reform of the Global Health Architecture and Governance.

The €500,000 award by the Virchow Foundation comes as DRC faces a major Ebola outbreak caused by the rare Bundibugyo strain. 

Professor Peter Piot, Professor of Global Health at LSHTM, said: “I am deeply humbled to receive the prestigious Virchow Prize alongside Jean-Jacques Muyembe, whose leadership and friendship continues to inspire me. This is a recognition and an encouragement for the numerous colleagues who worked with me over several decades in various parts of the globe. I also see this award as a tribute more broadly to the hard work of scientists, researchers, and health workers, with many working in extremely challenging conditions. 

“Epidemics and health crises - whether Ebola, HIV/AIDS, maternal mortality, or diabetes - have taught us that these are tests of trust, equity, leadership, and political and scientific cooperation. As we continue to face renewed threats in challenging times, this recognition reinforces my drive to work towards affordable scientific innovation, investments in resilient health systems, and in equitable research partnerships across countries, and above all in ensuring that scientific progress genuinely translates into health for all in the spirit of Accra Reset.”

Professor Liam Smeeth, Director of LSHTM, said: “Congratulations to Peter on being a recipient of this year’s Virchow Prize. I’m delighted that his extraordinary contributions to global cooperation and improved epidemic response and prevention, from his early collaboration with Dr Muyembe to today, have been recognised in this way.”

The official Virchow Prize Ceremony will take place in Berlin, Germany on 10 October 2026.