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Stephen G. Waxman, MD, PhD
Stephen G. Waxman, MD, PhD, neuroscientist at the VA New England Healthcare System and the Bridget Flaherty Professor of Neurology, Neuroscience and Pharmacology at Yale University, has been awarded the prestigious Sharpey-Schafer Prize Lecture by The Physiological Society (UK).
The award honors Dr. Waxman for his groundbreaking contributions to understanding the molecular basis of pain signaling and his pivotal role in developing the first non-addictive pain medication.
Named after the eminent British physiologist Edward Sharpey-Schafer, the prize is one of the highest honors bestowed by The Physiological Society. It recognizes distinguished contributions to physiology that have significantly advanced scientific knowledge and public health. Past recipients of the prize include Nobel Laureates Torsten Wiesel and Erwin Neher.
Dr. Waxman, who has served as Director of the VA RRDT Center for Restoration of Function after Nervous System Injury in West Haven, Connecticut, since 1999, has reshaped the field of pain neuroscience while illuminating the fundamental mechanisms of nociception and offering new therapeutic pathways for chronic pain conditions. His team’s research laid the foundation for a novel class of pain medications that bypass traditional opioid pathways, addressing a major unmet medical need with a safer, non-addictive alternative.
"I am deeply honored to receive the Sharpey-Schafer Prize," said Dr. Waxman. "This recognition reflects the efforts of many talented collaborators over the years and reaffirms our commitment to advancing science that can alleviate suffering and improve lives."
The award will be presented at a meeting of The Physiological Society in 2026.
Founded in 1876, The Physiological Society is the largest network of physiologists in Europe, supporting research and education to advance understanding of how the body works in health and disease.