23rd Annual Neurotech Convention · April 16–19, 2026

2026 Award Honorees

Recognizing transformative leadership, scientific discovery, humanitarian service, and breakthrough innovation across the global neuroscience ecosystem.

Pioneer in Medicine Award

Groundbreaking scientific and clinical contributions transforming modern medicine

Dr. Thomas C. Südhof Honoree

Thomas C. Südhof, MD

Avram Goldstein Professor · Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine

Stanford University School of Medicine, USA

Dr. Denis Fedorenko Honoree

Denis Fedorenko, MD, PhD

Stem Cell Scientist and Regenerative Medicine Specialist

Russia

Dr. Richard K. Burt Honoree

Richard K. Burt, MD

Professor of Medicine (Immunotherapy and Autoimmune Diseases)

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, USA

Ashley Magargee Nominee

Ashley Magargee

Chief Executive Officer

Genentech, South San Francisco, USA

Thomas Schinecker Nominee

Thomas Schinecker, PhD

Chief Executive Officer

Roche Diagnostics, Roche Group, Switzerland

Pioneer in Technology Development Award

Breakthrough innovation in neurotechnology and translational engineering

Marcus Gerhardt Honoree

Marcus Gerhardt

Chief Executive Officer

Blackrock Neurotech, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

Florian Solzbacher Honoree

Florian Solzbacher, PhD

Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer

Blackrock Neurotech, USA

Golden Axon Leadership Award

Sustained leadership and exceptional service advancing SBMT's mission

Dr. Giulio Maria Pasinetti Honoree

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

Dr. Namath Hussain Honoree

Namath Hussain, MD, MBA

23rd President of SBMT

Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics, USA

Dr. Shiva Rampersad Honoree

Shiva Rampersad, MBBS, MSc, MRCS

Chief Operating Officer · VP, Membership and Partnership

Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics, LA, USA

Stephan Themis Honoree

Stephan Themis

Chair, IT Subcommittee · Chief Data Officer

Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics, LA, USA

Humanitarian Award

Extraordinary medical service in conflict and crisis environments

Dr. Adam Hamawy Honoree

Adam Hamawy, MD, FACS

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon · U.S. Army Veteran

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, USA

Chef José Andrés Honoree

Chef José Andrés

Founder, World Central Kitchen

Global Humanitarian Food Relief

Pioneer in Healthcare Policy Award

Impactful leadership shaping health systems and public health access

The Honorable Eric Swalwell Nominee

The Honorable Eric Swalwell

United States Representative (CA-14)

U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC

The Honorable Gavin Newsom Nominee

The Honorable Gavin Newsom

Governor of California

State of California, Sacramento, USA

Beacon of Courage and Dedication Award

Extraordinary courage in the pursuit of medical advancement

Scott Imbrie Honoree

Scott Imbrie

Brain–Computer Interface Research Participant

University of Chicago Medicine / BlackRock Neurotech, Chicago, USA

Adriana Mocan Nominee

Adriana Mocan

Patient Advocate and Regenerative Medicine Participant

Stem Cell Therapy Program, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Student Outstanding Leadership and Service Award

Emerging leaders enhancing SBMT's mission and community impact

Yushun Zeng Honoree

Yushun Zeng

Program Coordinator

Society for Brain Mapping & Therapeutics, LA, USA

View Full Press Release