King’s College London Professor Recognised With The ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award
The European College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ECNP) awarded the 2023 Neuropsychopharmacology Award to Professor Oscar Marín for his work in advancing our understanding of the development of the cerebral cortex and the aetiology of neurodevelopmental disorders. The award is presented annually to recognise distinguished applied and translational neuroscience research.
Professor Marín has made influential discoveries in his research into the specification, migration, and wiring of neurons in the cerebral cortex. These findings show how the interaction between genetic and environmental factors during brain development influences the formation of neural circuits — how different types of neurons are generated, how they migrate to their final locations in the brain, and how they establish the complex connections underlying cognitive and behavioural functions.
His work has challenged the traditional understanding of the field, setting the foundation of our current conceptual framework of the emergence of neural diversity in the cerebral cortex. He also pioneered the identification of molecules that regulate neuronal wiring which led to important insights into the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental conditions.
I am deeply honoured and grateful to receive the ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award 2023. This recognition is a testament to the work of present and past members of our laboratory, as well as the collaborative efforts of many colleagues at King’s and beyond. As we continue to uncover the complex neurobiological mechanisms underlying mental illness, our work is inspired by the potential of developing innovative treatments to improve the lives of those suffering from psychiatric disorders. I am convinced that advancing our understanding of the developing brain will lead to new therapies that can transform patient care.”
Professor Oscar Marín
Professor Marín will receive the award in-person during the 36th ECNP Congress on 7-10 October 2023 in Barcelona, Spain, where he will deliver the plenary lecture.
Oscar Marín’s winning of the 2023 ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award is a testament to his outstanding contributions to the field of developmental neurobiology and his commitment to advancing our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of brain development and function. His work has not only deepened our understanding of the brain but has also paved the way for new therapeutic approaches to neuropsychiatric disorders. We congratulate him on this well-deserved honour”
Professor Dr Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Chair of the ECNP Award Committee
The ECNP Neuropsychopharmacology Award recognises innovative and distinguished research achievements in applied and translational neuroscience. The award is granted each year, alternating between basic science and clinical research. The award carries a prize of €10,000, which accompanies the winner’s review article in European Neuropsychopharmacology. ECNP is an independent scientific association whose mission is to advance the science of the brain, promote better treatment and enhance brain health. The annual ECNP Congress attracts some 5,000 scientists and clinicians from across the world to discuss the latest advances in brain research in Europe’s largest meeting on brain science. More information about ECNP, its aims and activities, can be found at www.ecnp.eu.
Professor Marín is the Director of the MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Director of the Centre for Developmental Neurobiology and a Professor of Neuroscience at King’s College London. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society.