Washington — The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) awarded the Julius Axelrod Prize to Roger Nicoll, MD, of the University of California, San Francisco, during Neuroscience 2011, the Society for Neuroscience's annual meeting and the world's largest source of emerging news about brain science and health. The prize recognizes exceptional achievements in neuropharmacology or a related field and exemplary efforts in mentoring young scientists. It is supported by the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation and includes a $25,000 award.
Nicoll has made several groundbreaking contributions to the field's understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic transmission, learning, and memory. He played a central role in determining the mechanism underlying long-term potentiation, the cellular basis of learning and memory. Nicoll's work challenged classical models of neurotransmission, revealing that brain chemicals can "spill over" and affect nearby brain cells.
Throughout his career of more than 40 years, Nicoll has also served as an outstanding mentor to many young scientists who have achieved great success in key positions throughout the world. He earned his medical degree at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and is currently a professor at the University of California, San Francisco.