From left to right: Sophia Shi, Xudong Chen, Xue Zhang, Kent Imaizumi, Colette Guey-Chi Chen (Sammy's aunt), Ji-Il Kim, Kang Shen, Tim Currier, Peggy Guey-Chi Chen (Sammy's cousin), Daniel Cardozo Pinto, Mengting Han, Kwamina Nyame, and Xuchen Zhang. Photo by Ola Hopper.
The Sammy Kuo Awards in Neuroscience celebrate exceptional early-career research in neuroscience, honoring the memory of Sammy Kuo, who passed away in 2006 due to a rare, progressive encephalitis.
Each year, the awards recognize the most outstanding trainee-led research papers, with winners announced at the annual Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute Symposium.
The Sammy Kuo Awards serve as a testament to the transformative power of research, fostering hope for advancements in treating devastating conditions. We extend heartfelt thanks to the selection committees for their dedication and to all who contribute to advancing neuroscience in Sammy’s memory.
Nomination and eligibility information (be sure to be logged in with your Stanford email).
Nominations for the 2025 Sammy Kuo Awards in Neuroscience are closed.
Members of the Stanford neuroscience community are invited to nominate graduate students or postdoctoral researchers for the Sammy Kuo Awards. Eligible papers must report original research published within the past year at the time of nomination. Nominations must include a note from the nominee’s principal investigator(s), who must be affiliated with the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute.
Essay by Peggy Guey-Chi Chen
Sammy’s cousin, Peggy Guey-Chi Chen, wrote a personal essay honoring his life and legacy. Her reflections offer a heartfelt glimpse into the inspiration behind the award, and reminds us of the human stories that drive scientific discovery.
Photo: Colette Guey-Chi Chen, Wu Tsai Neuro Director Kang Shen, and Peggy Guey-Chi Chen at the 2025 Wu Tsai Neuro Symposium. Photo by Ola Hopper.