Rutgers Brain Health Institute Research & Service Awards
Honoring Excellence in Neuroscience Research and Service
We hosted the 2024 BHI Research and Service Awards Ceremony on December 10 at the Zimmerli Art Museum in New Brunswick, honoring the exceptional contributions of BHI faculty to neuroscience research and service.
The awards recognized outstanding achievements across four categories, recognizing faculty who have significantly impacted brain health research and service. Each awardee received a commemorative plaque and a monetary award.
Early Career Faculty “Rising Star” Research Excellence Award
Anna Konova, PhD
Co-Director of the Rutgers-Princeton Center for Computational Cognitive Neuro-Psychiatry (CCNP) at the BHI
Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and University Behavioral Health Care (UBHC), Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Dr. Anna Konova’s research combines cutting-edge techniques such as in vivo brain imaging, computational modeling, and mobile phone technologies. She serves as the Principal Investigator on two NIH NIDA R01 grants, Site PI on a large multi-site NIDA R01, and PI on a New Jersey Health Foundation grant. Dr. Konova also played a key role in securing the Silvio O. Conte Center for Translational Mental Health Research P50 grant.
Mid-Career Faculty “Shining Star” Research Excellence Award
Victoria Abraira, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers-New Brunswick
Dr. Victoria Abraira’s research focuses on the molecular, neuronal, and circuit-based mechanisms of touch through an integrated approach combining mouse molecular genetics, circuit physiology, and behavioral analysis. She chaired the BHI Junior Faculty Working Group and serves on NIH study sections, holding editorial roles in leading journals in the field. Since 2018, she has secured 21 grants, including awards from the NIH, Pew Charitable Trust, Rita Allen Foundation, HHMI (Freeman Hrabowski Finalist), and the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation.
BHI “Outstanding Service” Award
Chiara Manzini, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, RWJMS
Chair of the BHI Strategic Planning Committee
Vice-chair, BHI Neurodevelopment Working Group
Dr. Chiara Manzini’s lab studies how deficits in brain development affect cognitive function, using animal models (mouse and zebrafish) to recapitulate human disease. She serves as a senior mentor for multiple junior BHI faculty and has served on the University Senate for three years. She is also a member of the RWJMS Research Committee and the School of Graduate Studies Executive Council.
Senior Faculty “Super Stars” Research Excellence Award
Dipak Sarkar, PhD
Distinguished Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Rutgers Animal Sciences
With over 200 peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Dipak Sarkar has made foundational discoveries on the role of hypothalamic neurohormones in regulating reproduction, the stress response, and immune functions, as well as the consequences of fetal alcohol exposure and associated epigenetic modifications that are passed across generations. He established the Endocrine Program in 2005 and the associated Endocrine Research Facility. He has served as advisor to 14 graduate students and 60 postdoctoral fellows and has secured more than 100 NIH grants, with total funding exceeding $30,000,000.
Senior Faculty “Super Stars” Research Excellence Award
Laszlo Zaborszky, PhD
Distinguished Professor, Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers-Newark School of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Laszlo Zaborszky’s work has revolutionized our understanding of the basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic system, advancing the study of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases characterized by cholinergic deficits. Notably, he coined the widely used term “core and shell” of the nucleus accumbens. He founded and served as editor-in-chief of the journal Brain Structure and Function and has mentored over 60 undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows. Laszlo has had continuous NIH grant support since 1986.
The 2024 awards coincided with Rutgers Brain Health Institute’s 10th anniversary, marking a decade of groundbreaking achievements in neuroscience. Since its founding, BHI has become Rutgers University’s central hub for neuroscience research, encompassing over 300 laboratories and 900 trainees.
“These awards highlight the groundbreaking research and dedicated service of our faculty, whose contributions are shaping the future of brain health and neuroscience,” said Gary Aston-Jones, Director of the BHI and Murray and Charlotte Strongwater Endowed Chair in Neuroscience and Brain Health. “We are proud to support a thriving community of faculty and trainees working to address critical challenges in brain health.”
Over the past ten years, BHI has recruited more than 40 tenure-track faculty members, established five Centers of Research Excellence, and supported groundbreaking research addressing autism, addiction, Alzheimer’s disease, and other brain disorders.
The ceremony featured a festive holiday reception with live jazz performed by the Ilan Eisenzweig Trio, creating a warm and celebratory atmosphere for attendees.
