SBMT & World Brain Mapping Foundation Announce 2026 Award Honorees

The Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics (SBMT), in partnership with the World Brain Mapping Foundation (WBMF), has announced the distinguished recipients of its 2026 international awards honoring excellence in neuroscience, neurotechnology, humanitarian service, and leadership in medicine.

The awards will be presented during the 23rd Annual SBMT Neurotech Convention, taking place April 16–19, 2026 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Award recipients will also be honored at the 23rd Annual Gathering for Cure (GFC) Gala, hosted by the World Brain Mapping Foundation on Friday, April 17, 2026. The evening will feature a cocktail reception from 6:00–8:00 PM followed by a black-tie banquet from 8:00–11:30 PM, celebrating global achievements in brain science, medical innovation, and humanitarian leadership.

Often described as the “Oscars of brain science and neurotechnology,” the Gala for Cure convenes leading neuroscientists, physicians, innovators, and philanthropic leaders to recognize transformative contributions advancing the understanding and treatment of neurological disease.

 

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Beacon of Courage and Dedication Award Recognizing individuals whose participation in groundbreaking medical research has advanced the development of new therapies and technologies.

Scott Imbrie — Brain–Computer Interface Research Participant, University of Chicago Medicine (in collaboration with Blackrock Neurotech), Chicago, Illinois, USA

Adriana Mocan — Patient Advocate and Regenerative Medicine Clinical Research Participant, Stem Cell Therapy Program, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Katie Roper — Patient Advocate, Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, Los Angeles, USA

Christina Demirelli — Spinal Cord Injury Patient Advocate, Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics, Los Angeles, USA

 

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Humanitarian Award Recognizing extraordinary humanitarian medical service and dedication to patient care in challenging environments.

Adam Hamawy, MD, FACS — Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, U.S. Army Veteran, Associate Professor of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, USA

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Golden Axon Leadership Award Recognizing sustained leadership and contributions advancing the mission of the Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics.

Giulio Maria Pasinetti, MD, PhD — Saunders Family Chair and Professor of Neurology, Psychiatry, Neuroscience, and Geriatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA

Namath Hussain, MD, MBA — 23rd President, Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics, Los Angeles, USA

Shiva Rampersad, MBBS, MSc, MRCS (Edinburgh) — Chief Operating Officer; Vice President, Membership and Partnership, Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics, Los Angeles, USA

Stephan Themis — Chair, Information Technology Subcommittee; Chief Data Officer, Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics, Los Angeles, USA

 

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Pioneer in Healthcare Policy Award Recognizing impactful leadership shaping health systems and public health access.

The Honorable Gavin Newsom — Governor of California, State of California, USA

The Honorable Eric Swalwell — U.S. Representative, California’s 14th Congressional District, Co-Chair, Congressional Precision Medicine Caucus, Washington, DC, USA

 

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Pioneer in Technology Development Award Recognizing transformative innovation in neurotechnology and biomedical engineering.

Marcus Gerhardt — Chief Executive Officer, Blackrock Neurotech, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Florian Solzbacher, PhD — Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer, Blackrock Neurotech, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

 

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Pioneer in Medicine Award Recognizing groundbreaking scientific discoveries and clinical innovations that have advanced modern medicine.

Denis Fedorenko, MD, PhD — Stem Cell Scientist and Regenerative Medicine Specialist, Russia

Richard K. Burt, MD — Professor of Medicine (Immunotherapy and Autoimmune Diseases), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA

Thomas C. Südhof, MD — Avram Goldstein Professor of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine — Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine

 

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Student Outstanding Leadership and Service Award Recognizing emerging leaders whose dedication and service strengthen the global neuroscience community.

Yushun Zeng — Program Coordinator, Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics, Los Angeles, USA

 

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About SBMT

The Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics is a global multidisciplinary organization dedicated to advancing brain research, precision diagnostics, neuromodulation, and technology-driven medicine through scientific collaboration, education, and innovation. The Society’s Annual Neurotech Convention brings together researchers, clinicians, engineers, policymakers, and industry leaders working to accelerate breakthroughs in neuroscience and brain health.

Media Contact Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics 2080 Century Park East, Suite 500, Los Angeles, CA 90067 www.worldbrainmapping.org