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Northwestern accepting nominations for $350,000 Nemmers Prize in Medical Science

CHICAGO --- Northwestern University is accepting nominations for its $350,000 Mechthild Esser Nemmers Prize in Medical Science. The biennial prize will be awarded in fall 2024.

Candidacy for the 2024 Nemmers Prize is open to physician-scientists whose body of research exhibits outstanding achievement in their disciplines as demonstrated by works of lasting significance. Individuals of all nationalities and institutional affiliations are eligible, except current or recent members of the Northwestern faculty, past recipients of the Mechthild Esser Nemmers Prize and recipients of the Nobel Prize.

The 2024 recipient of the Nemmers Prize will deliver a public lecture and participate in other scholarly activities at Northwestern. 

Past distinguished recipients include:

  • Huda Zoghbi (2016), a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator and professor at Baylor College of Medicine known for her groundbreaking research on Rett syndrome and other neurological disorders;
  • Stuart Orkin (2018), a Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigator at Boston Children's Hospital and professor at Harvard Medical School, known for his landmark discoveries into blood cell development and the genetic basis of blood disorders;
  • Jeremy Nathans (2022), a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigator and professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine known for his seminal discoveries into the molecular mechanisms of visual system development, function and disease

“At Feinberg, we are committed to improving the future of human health through scientific discovery and innovation,” said Dr. Eric Neilson, vice president for medical affairs and the Lewis Landsberg Dean at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Our Nemmers Prize winners have transformed our understanding of devastating diseases and inspired many others to follow in their footsteps. We look forward to honoring another outstanding physician scientist whose novel discoveries can lead to answers, inform tomorrow’s cures, and improve heath for future generations.”

“The Mechthild Esser Nemmers Prize in Medical Science honors not only the painstaking work that takes place in scientific laboratories, but more importantly, the indelible impact these achievements have on society,” said Northwestern Provost Kathleen Hagerty. “Northwestern University is proud to consider the nominations of scientists who have committed themselves to this noble pursuit, improving the lives of people around the globe with each discovery.”

Nominations can be submitted at www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nemmers. 

Nominations will be accepted until Nov. 1, 2023. Nominating letters should be a maximum of one page and should describe the nominee’s professional experience, accomplishments, qualifications for the award and the nominee’s curriculum vitae. Nominations from experts in the field and institutional nominations are welcome; direct applications will not be accepted.

This award is made possible by a generous gift to Northwestern by the late Erwin Esser Nemmers and the late Frederic Esser Nemmers. The Nemmers Prize in Medical Science is the fourth Nemmers prize established by Northwestern and joins the Erwin Plein Nemmers Prize in Economics, the Frederic Esser Nemmers Prize in Mathematics, the Michael Ludwig Nemmers Prize in Music and the new Nemmers Prize in Earth Sciences, now the fifth Nemmers prize at Northwestern.