Professor José Penadés is a distinguished microbiologist specializing in bacterial evolution and pathogenicity. He currently serves as the Director of the Centre for Bacterial Resistance Biology at Imperial College London, where his research focuses on how bacteria acquire and disseminate genetic material, contributing to their adaptability and virulence. Notably, his team has made significant strides in understanding mechanisms like lateral transduction, a process by which bacteria rapidly exchange large DNA segments, enhancing their resistance and pathogenic traits. In recognition of his contributions to microbiology, Professor Penadés was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2024.