Oscar Marín, Director of the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, is the recipient of the 2024 FENS-EJN Prize. The Award is an annual prize given by the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and the European Journal of Neuroscience (EJN) in recognition of outstanding scientific work in any area of neuroscience.
The Award has been awarded to Professor Marín in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of neuroscience with his influential research in brain development. His work has led to the revision of concepts deeply rooted in textbooks regarding the origin and migration of neurons. His discoveries have transformed our understanding of the mechanisms controlling the organisation of the cerebral cortex and illuminate current research on the cause of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders.
On receiving the news, Professor Marín said: "I am thrilled and honoured to receive the FENS-EJN Award 2024. This prize is a testament to the passion and hard work of present and past members of our laboratory, as well as the invaluable contributions of our many collaborators around the world. This outstanding recognition from the organisation that represents the European neuroscience community is particularly encouraging. We look forward to continuing our efforts to unravel the mysteries of the brain and improve the lives of people affected by neurological and psychiatric conditions".
Professor Marín's association with FENS has been going over many years, with him receiving the FENS-EJN Young Investigator Prize in 2012. He will receive the award in person during the FENS Forum 2024 in Vienna (25 -29 June 2024), where he will give a special lecture.