October 5, 2016 — Renowned neuroscientist Solomon H. Snyder, M.D., FNIH Board Vice Chairman for Science, was awarded the Salk Institute’s Medal for Research Excellence. This award, which has only been bestowed twice since the Salk Institute was established 56 years ago, honors individuals making significant contributions to basic science research with particular advances to policy, humanities, human health or the Institute.

Dr. Snyder, who also serves as a Distinguished Service Professor of Neuroscience, Pharmacology & Psychiatry, in the Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University, was recognized for his transformative research on neuropharmacology. Numerous advances in molecular neuroscience have stemmed from Dr. Snyder’s identification of opiate receptors in the brain, which helped explain how neuroactive drugs work.

Dr. Snyder delivered a lecture to a full auditorium before receiving the award at the Salk Institute’s Board of Trustees dinner.