The Society for Neuroscience has awarded University of Richmond psychology professor and behavioral neuroscientist Kelly Lambert its 2023 Science Educator Award, which honors neuroscientists who have made significant contributions to educating the public about neuroscience. The award includes a $5,000 prize, travel to the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, and an opportunity to write a feature commentary on science education in eNeuro, an open-access, peer-reviewed scientific journal.
The award announcement noted that Lambert “deftly merges best practices in education with outstanding science that makes neuroscience accessible, interesting, and fun for both her students and the community at large.”
Lambert and her undergraduate research students explore the neurobiology of stress, resilience, depression, parenting, and natural enrichment. Her rodent driving research and science outreach program has been featured in more than 1,500 media stories and highlighted in two documentaries, including one on Netflix, “demonstrating her exceptional ability to present complex concepts to non-scientists in an accessible way,” the award letter said.
“Making science accessible is a core principle in my approach to teaching and research,” said Lambert, MacEldin Trawick Professor in Psychology. “Science outreach is so important to lab research and education, and, in my case, helping people learn more about the brain. That’s a win for me.”
Lambert has received numerous awards for teaching excellence and is a finalist for Baylor University’s 2024 Robert Foster Cherry Award for Great Teaching. This $250,000 national award for exceptional teaching is the single largest monetary reward presented by a college or university. The recipient will be announced early next year.