"Basic research is often remarkably unspectacular, but every scientist who falls under its spell remains dedicated for their career.”
Heiko Brak, MD
Honoring scientists who have made it their life’s work to speed better treatments for Parkinson's patients is how Karen Pritzker and her late husband, Michael Vlock, decided to pay tribute to her late father. With their generous support, The Michael J. Fox Foundation began awarding the Robert A. Pritzker Prize annually in 2011 to researchers whose work embodies those attributes of the renowned industrialist, entrepreneur and philanthropist.
Known for his creativity, giving spirit, humility and enthusiasm for finding innovative solutions, Robert Pritzker was a true visionary, and the award is a fitting tribute to his legacy. Using the prize to empower scientists is not only about paying tribute to the man for whom it is named but also inspiring hope for a world free from Parkinson's. The award is given to scientists who make an exceptional contribution to Parkinson's research and are committed to mentoring the next generation of PD researchers.
The award, designed by renowned artist and Parkinson's patient Tom Shannon, is presented by the Foundation annually in New York City.
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2023
Dario Alessi, PhD
School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, UK -
2022
J. Timothy Greenamyre, MD, PhD
University of Pittsburgh -
2021
Glenda Margaret Halliday, PhD
University of Sydney -
2020
Caroline Tanner, MD, PhD
Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco -
2019
Andrew Singleton, PhD
National Institutes of Health, Maryland -
2018
Virginia Man-Yee Lee, PhD
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania -
2017
Ken Marek, MD
Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Connecticut -
2016
Ira Shoulson, MD
Georgetown University, Washington, DC -
2015
John Hardy, PhD
University College London, England -
2014
Heiko Braak, MD
Ulm University, Germany -
2013
Alim-Louis Benabid, MD, PhD
Clinatec, France -
2012
J. William Langston, MD
Parkinson's Institute and Clinical Center, California -
2011
Anders Björklund, MD, PhD
Lund University, Sweden
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