2026 Awardee

Haodong Qin is a PhD candidate in Physics under the advisement of 塔季扬娜·沙尔佩. Haodong has built a research program that treats biological computation — in the brain and in the aging cell — as a problem in geometry, information, and dynamics. His recent work spans two threads that share a common physical language. In neuroscience, he developed a Fisher Information Diffusion framework that explains how recurrent neural networks retain memory not through convergence to fixed attractor states, but through the structured propagation of sensitivity across time and offers new initialization principles for stable, trainable recurrent architectures. In his work on molecular aging, he uses nonequilibrium dynamics to model how the distribution of molecular states changes over the course of aging, offering new principles and a physical explanation for the nonlinear, oscillatory trajectory the aging process follows. Outside the lab, Haodong leads a local group bike ride along the coast, and is an active advocate for the role of regular exercise in maintaining physical and cognitive health.

The award, named after the renowned neuroscientist Charles F. Stevens, celebrates excellence in neuroscience research and is a testament to Qin’s dedication, ingenuity, and impact in the field.

2025 Awardee

MK Duff, a graduate student in the lab of Salk Professor 阿克塞尔·尼默雅恩, has been awarded the 2025 Charles F. Stevens Neuroscience Research Award. Her research advances our understanding of neuron-microglia interactions in the healthy and diseased brain, using an array of innovative molecular and behavioral approaches. By integrating techniques such as MEA assay, bulk RNA sequencing, and HITS-CLIP with behavioral paradigms such as social interaction assays, Duff’s work sheds light on the cellular mechanisms that shape neural circuit function. Her contributions represent an important step toward unraveling the complexities of brain development, function, and dysfunction, laying the foundation for future therapeutic strategies in neuroscience.

The award, named after the renowned neuroscientist Charles F. Stevens, celebrates excellence in neuroscience research and is a testament to Duff's dedication, ingenuity, and impact in the field.

2024 Awardee

Sai-Krishna-Bhamidipati, a PhD candidate in the Callaway lab, has been honored with the inaugural Charles F. Stevens Neuroscience Research Award. His work aims to uncover fundamental principles about how the brain functions and is an essential part of the journey towards better understanding brain disorders and developing effective treatments. By deepening our knowledge of brain connectivity and function, we lay the groundwork for future breakthroughs in neuroscience and medicine, ultimately contributing to the betterment of human health and well-being.

The award, named after the renowned neuroscientist Charles F. Stevens, celebrates excellence in neuroscience research and is a testament to Bhamidipati's dedication, ingenuity, and impact in the field.