Robert W. Berliner Award for Excellence in Renal Physiology

Award Description

The Robert W. Berliner Award for Excellence in Renal Physiology is the most prestigious award of the Renal Section. The honor recognizes distinguished lifetime achievement in renal physiological research by a living scientist.

Award Criteria

Nominations will be evaluated based on:

• Contributions to the field of renal physiology.
• Research.
• Teaching, training and activities within the American Physiological Society.

Eligibility

Nominees must:

• Be a current or former APS member.
• Be 60 years or older.

The award is available by nomination only. Self-nominations are not permitted.

Nomination Requirements

A complete nomination must include:

• The nominee's curriculum vitae. 
• A nomination letter from an APS member.

The Renal Section Robert W Berliner Award Committee chooses one recipient each year.

Conditions of the Award

The award recipient must accept the award at the Summit and attend the Renal Section banquet.

Nominators are responsible for confirming the nominee can attend the Summit. The awardee is responsible for funding their travel.

About Robert W. Berliner

Robert W. Berliner, MD (1916-2002), was a pioneering renal physiologist whose research helped establish the foundations of modern kidney physiology. Together with his colleagues, he elucidated the key mechanisms of renal potassium excretion and advanced early understanding of how the kidney transports potassium, sodium and hydrogen ions. Their work laid the foundation for later studies of individual tubules and tubular cells.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Berliner played a pivotal role in shaping American biomedical research. In 1950, he was recruited to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish the Laboratory of Kidney and Electrolyte Metabolism. He served as chief of the laboratory for 12 years and was instrumental in transforming the NIH into one of the world's leading biomedical research institutions.