The American Stroke Association has announced the recognition of eleven prominent scientists for their exceptional achievements in stroke research and clinical care at the International Stroke Conference 2025. The awards acknowledge career-long contributions and new research findings that advance the understanding and treatment of stroke, the second leading cause of death worldwide. Among the distinguished honorees, Dr. Virginia J. Howard from the University of Alabama at Birmingham will receive the Edgar J. Kenton III Lecture Award for her three decades of work in stroke epidemiology and health disparities research. Dr. Yongjun Wang, president of Beijing Tiantan Hospital and the Chinese Stroke Association, will be presented with the William M. Feinberg Award for Excellence in Clinical Stroke for his significant work in secondary prevention strategies and reperfusion therapy.
Dr. Heather J. Fullerton of the University of California San Francisco will be honored with the Ralph L. Sacco Outstanding Stroke Research Mentor Award for her contributions to pediatric stroke research and mentorship. The Thomas Willis Lecture Award will go to Dr. Miguel A. Perez-Pinzon of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine for his research on cerebral ischemia and stroke. Dr. Jean-Claude Baron from INSERM, University Paris Cité, will receive the David G. Sherman Lecture Award for his lifetime contributions to understanding ischemic stroke mechanisms through imaging studies. The conference will also recognize several emerging researchers, including Dr. Shufan Huo of Yale University, who will receive the Mordecai Y.T. Globus New Investigator Award for innovative genomic and proteomic research in stroke.
Other notable recipients include Dr. Heyu Ni of the University of Toronto for basic science research, Dr. Mohamed Elfil of the University of Miami for new investigator research, and Dr. Santosh Murthy of Weill Cornell Medical College for emergency medicine contributions. Dr. Cyprien A. Rivier of Yale School of Medicine and Dr. Mei Zhen Huang of the University of Maryland School of Medicine round out the honorees for their work in vascular cognitive impairment and stroke rehabilitation, respectively. Each award recipient will present their research findings during the conference, sharing insights that range from acute stroke treatment and brain tissue recovery to innovative rehabilitation techniques and strategies for addressing health disparities in stroke care.
These presentations will showcase the latest developments in stroke science and their potential impact on patient care. The International Stroke Conference serves as the premier global forum for researchers and clinicians dedicated to advancing stroke science and brain health. The recognition of these leading scientists underscores the continuing progress in stroke research and treatment, while highlighting the critical importance of both basic science and clinical research in improving outcomes for stroke patients worldwide. The conference is being held in Los Angeles from February 4-7, 2025, and represents a significant gathering of experts focused on reducing the global burden of stroke through scientific advancement and clinical innovation.
