Society Awards

Lifetime Service Award

Past recipients:

  • Dr. Toby Eisenstein, Temple University (Post humously), 2025
  • Dr. Kelly Jordan-Sciutto, University of Pennsylvania, 2024
  • Dr. Madhavan Nair, Florida International University, 2023
  • Dr. Howard E. Gendelman, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 2017
  • Dr. Pravin Singhal, Hofstra North Shore LIJ Medical School, 2016
  • Dr. Robert Donahoe, Emory University, 2015
  • Dr. Jag Khalsa, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014

Herman Friedman Founder’s Award

The Founders award was renamed in 2008 in honor of Herman Friedman, PhD, Professor and Chair of the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of South Florida from 1978-2003, who passed away in August 2007. Herman had a long and distinguished career as a research scientist whose work focused on the effects of cannabinoids and other abused substances on immune function and infection. The Founder’s award recognizes individuals whose contribution to SNIP have been visionary and served as a key to the founding of the Society and/or its continued development and perpetuation.

Past recipients: Santosh Kumar (2025), Richard Noel (2024), Sanjay Maggiwar (2023), Shilpa Buch (2017), Mahendra Kumar (2016), Toby Eisenstein (2015), Pravin Singhal (2014), Philip Peterson (2013), Howard Fox (2012), Howard E. Gendelman (2011), Sabita Roy (2010), Thomas Klein (2010), Micheal Roth (2009), Charles Sharp (2008), Guy Cabral (2007), Robert Donahoe (2006), Burt Sharp (2004), Sulie Chang (2002), John Madden (2001).

Distinguished Service Award

Aimed at recognizing individuals whose efforts and commitment to the Society have been both consistent and exemplary over protracted years of service.

Past recipients: Santhi Gorantla (2025), Marcus Paul (2024), Michal Toborek (2023), Shilpa Buch (2023), Abraham Bautista, Jeymohan Joseph, Sanjay Maggirwar (2016), Richard Noel (2015), Guy Cabral (2014), Sylvia M. Kiertscher (2013), Anuja Ghorapde (2012), Gayle C. Baldwin (2011), John Madden (2010), Sulie Chang (2009), Diane Lawrence (2009), Wen Zhe Ho (2009), Norbert Kaminski (2008), Philip Peterson (2007), Sabita Roy (2007), Tom Rogers (2006), Thomas Klein (2006), Jean Bidlack (2005), Jag Khalsa (2005).

Wybran Award

Joseph Wybran, MD, was a seminal contributor through the 1970s and into the 1980s to the integration of the fields of neuroimmunology, drugs of abuse and immunity to infection. The Wybran Award is the highest honor bestowed by SNIP in recognition of the very best scientific contributions that have resulted in the preservation and expansion of the field of NeuroImmune Pharmacology.

Past recipients: Kali Pahan (2024), Siddappa Byrareddy (2023), Kamel Khalili (2017), Brian Wigdahl (2016), Jonathan Geiger (2015), Madhav Nair (2014), Michal Toborek (2014), Kurt Hauser (2013), Shilpa Buch (2012), Yuri Persidsky (2011), Linda Chang (2010), Thomas Klein (2008), Howard Gendelman (2007), Burt Sharp (2006), Toby Eisenstein (2003), Martin Adler (2001), Phillip Peterson (1999), Herman Friedman (1996), Charles Sharp (1995).

Outstanding Service and Support Award

Given in recognition of individuals who are not necessarily investigators or members, but who have provided extraordinary service in support of the Society and its mission.

Past recipients: Allison Andrews (2025), Roger Little (2024), Jonathan Pollock (2023), Kelly Jordan-Sciutto (2023), Peter J. Gaskill (2017), Olimpia Meucci (2017), Marisela Agudelo (2016), Marcus Kaul (2016), Jan Albrecht (2016), Andrzej Malecki (2016), Santosh Kumar (2015), Sanjay Maggirwar (2014), Xu Wang (2013), Yvonne Mccommon (2012), David Shurtleff (2011), Claire Gaveriaux-Ruff (2010), Abraham Bautista (2010), Dunjing Zhou (2009), He Li (2009), Robin Taylor (2008).