Ralph W. Gerard Prize in Neuroscience Recognizes Outstanding Contributions of Carla Shatz
For immediate release.
RALPH W. GERARD PRIZE IN NEUROSCIENCE RECOGNIZES OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS OF CARLA SHATZ
Shatz receives $25,000 award for contributions to neuroscience
Washington — The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) has awarded the Ralph W. Gerard Prize in Neuroscience to Carla J. Shatz, PhD, of Stanford University. The prize was awarded during Neuroscience 2011, SfN’s annual meeting and the world’s largest source of emerging news about brain science and health.
The prize, which is supported by Lilly USA, LLC, holds great prestige in the field of neuroscience and allows researchers to recognize the work of their peers. The Gerard Prize was established in the name of Ralph W. Gerard, who was instrumental in establishing SfN and served as Honorary President from 1970 until his death in 1974.
“Dr. Shatz is an extraordinary researcher whose work has provided fundamental insights into brain circuit changes during development,” said Susan G. Amara, PhD, president of SfN. “It is an honor to recognize her pioneering spirit and contributions to the field.”
Carla J. Shatz, a past president of SfN, has an impressive career spanning more than 30 years. Her work has provided fundamental insights into critical periods of brain development, both before and after birth. Her interest in neural circuits has led to several important revelations, particularly how the visual system refines its connections and the importance of neurotrophins in ocular dominance plasticity. Shatz’s research has also provided a greater understanding of the interaction between the immune and nervous systems.
Shatz earned her PhD in neurobiology from Harvard University in 1976. She is currently a professor at Stanford University and serves on several advisory committees, including the National Institutes of Health Advisory Council and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Janelia Farm Scientific Advisory Board.
The Society for Neuroscience is an organization of more than 41,000 researchers and clinicians who study the brain and nervous system.
