Neuroscience –
Science of the Brain
Weighing about three pounds for the average adult, within the brain are 100 billion neurons that give us the ability to see, smell and move, as well as think, talk and read. All we experience and remember – in essence, every little thing that makes us who we are – is rooted in the neocortex, the seat of the "thinking" brain. Understanding how such a miracle is possible is the vast mission of the field of neuroscience.
In the past few decades, researchers have learned much about the fundamental workings of the brain, with tremendous gains in knowledge about the molecules that make it run. Armed with the human genome and a combination of cutting-edge genetic methods and brain imaging techniques, lab scientists are now exploring the neural circuitry of living animals in ways they could likely have never dreamed of even just 20 years ago.
The Kavli Prize in Neuroscience
The Kavli Prize in Neuroscience is awarded for outstanding achievement in advancing our knowledge and understanding of the brain and nervous system, including molecular neuroscience, cellular neuroscience, systems neuroscience, neurogenetics, developmental neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and related facets of the brain and nervous system.
2024
Nancy Kanwisher
Winrich Freiwald
Doris Ying Tsao
For the discovery of a highly localized and specialized system for representation of faces in human and non-human primate neocortex.
2022
Jean-Louis Mandel
Harry T. Orr
Christopher A. Walsh
Huda Y. Zoghbi
For pioneering the discovery of genes underlying a range of serious brain disorders.
2020
David Julius
Ardem Patapoutian
For their transformative discovery of receptors for temperature and pressure.
2018
A. James Hudspeth
Robert Fettiplace
Christine Petit
For their pioneering work on the molecular and neural mechanisms of hearing.
2016
Eve Marder
Michael M. Merzenich
Carla J. Shatz
For the discovery of mechanisms that allow experience and neural activity to remodel brain function.
2014
Brenda Milner
John O’Keefe
Marcus E. Raichle
For the discovery of specialized brain networks for memory and cognition.
2012
Cornelia Isabella Bargmann
Winfried Denk
Ann Martin Graybiel
For elucidating basic neuronal mechanisms underlying perception and decision.
2010
Richard H. Scheller
Thomas C. Südhof
James E. Rothman
For discovering the molecular basis of neurotransmitter release
2008
Pasko Rakic
Thomas Jessell
Sten Grillner
For discoveries on the developmental and functional logic of neuronal circuits.
From birds to brains: My twisted (and very lucky) path to the fusiform face area
As told by Nancy Kanwisher
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In search of ourselves: Uncovering the secrets of our complex brains
As told by Winrich Freiwald
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Trusting a map in her own head
As told by Doris Tsao
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I cannot believe my good fortune to be a scientist
As told by Christopher Walsh
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Relentless desire to help Rett syndrome patients
As told by Huda Zoghbi
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Keep your door open to new ideas!
As told by Harry Orr
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