Congratulations to BBRF’s 2018 Outstanding Achievement Prizewinners and the Pardes Humanitarian Prizewinners

On Friday, October 26, 2018, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation honored ten scientists with its 2018 Outstanding Achievement Prizes and awarded the Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health at its International Awards Dinner in New York City. The evening celebrated the power of neuroscience, psychiatric research and humanitarian efforts to change the lives of people who are living with mental illness.

The ten scientists, from around the globe, were recognized for their extraordinary achievements in research on schizophrenia, mood disorders, child and adolescent psychiatry, and cognitive neuroscience.

In presenting the Outstanding Achievement Awards, Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein, President and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, said, “These ten exceptional scientists are dedicated to advancing the science that is changing what it means to live with a mental illness and open possibilities for more people to live full, productive, and joyful lives. He, added, “Their individual projects reflect the unprecedented depth and breadth of brain and behavior research. These are the Academy Awards of brain research.”

The Outstanding Achievement Prizes are awarded to scientists recognized for outstanding research leadership and contributions to mental health research. These annual prizes include the Lieber Prize for Schizophrenia Research, the Colvin Prize for Mood Disorders Research, the Ruane Prize for Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Research, the Goldman-Rakic Prize for Cognitive Neuroscience Research, and the Maltz Prize for Innovative Schizophrenia Research.

Meet this year’s Outstanding Achievement Prizewinners.

The Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health was awarded to Judge Steven Leifman, associate administrative judge in Miami-Dade County, for his leadership in reducing the number of people with mental illnesses in jail and prison.  The Honorary Pardes Humanitarian Prize was presented to Bob and the late Suzanne Wright, the founders of Autism Speaks, for their unparalleled leadership in advancing autism research and increasing understanding and acceptance of people with autism spectrum disorder.

Learn more about Judge Leifman in this video:

Learn more about Suzanne and Bob Wright in this video:

The Pardes Prize was established in 2014, and is awarded annually to recognize individuals or organizations that are making a profound and lasting impact in advancing the understanding of mental health and improving the lives of people with mental illness. It focuses public attention on the burden mental illness places on individuals and society, and the urgent need to expand mental health services globally. Nominations are solicited worldwide. The recipient is chosen by an international distinguished committee of eleven members. The Prize is named in honor of Herbert Pardes, M.D., a noted psychiatrist, outspoken advocate for the mentally ill, and the award’s first recipient. The Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health is sponsored in part by Janssen Research & Development, LLC, one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.

Learn more about the Pardes Humanitarian Prize in Mental Health.