Neural Control & Autonomic Regulation (NCAR) Section Linda F. Hayward Achievement Award

The American Physiological Society (APS) Neural Control & Autonomic Regulation (NCAR) Section honors the life of APS member Linda F. Hayward, PhD, through the development of the Linda F. Hayward, Achievement Award. This award recognizes a world-renowned, distinguished mid-career physiologist who is an advocate and mentor for women in science, for their promising research in physiology regulated by the autonomic nervous system and related diseases.  

The NCAR Section Steering Committee selects the recipient as an individual who represents outstanding achievements in understanding autonomic regulation. The recipient's body of research should inspire interest in and advance within the field. The applicant's commitment to advocating for and mentoring women in the scientific enterprise should be addressed in the application materials.  

About Linda Hayward

After completing postdoctoral training at the University of Iowa, Linda Hayward moved to the University of Florida, and in 2004, became the second woman in the Department of Physiological Sciences to achieve tenure. She demonstrated a curiosity for understanding the central circuits responsible for the regulation of cardiac function and made significant contributions to the autonomic neuroscience community.   

Hayward also devoted herself to serving as an inspiring and effective role model to students and junior faculty. In 2020, she passed away after a five-year fight with breast cancer.

The applicant must:

• Be a member of APS. 
• Hold a faculty position of associate professor or higher with proven innovative achievements.   
• Demonstrate original and noteworthy contributions to the advancement of autonomic regulation in all aspects of the discipline, such as research impact, participation in APS or other autonomic-related societies, dissemination of knowledge through writings and conferences, mentoring of investigators within the autonomic community and other related activities. 

Prior recipients of the award are not eligible for renomination, but nominations of those who did not previously receive the award are encouraged to resubmit.  

The application package includes: 

• Two or more letters of recommendation that highlight the applicant's accomplishments addressing major contributions to: 
  • The field of neural control and autonomic regulation.
  • Supporting, mentoring or encouraging scientists and students from historically marginalized or excluded groups.  
  • Future contributions and plans regarding mentorship and supporting the next generation of autonomic scientists. 
• Curriculum vitae.

The awardee is expected to give a 15-minute lecture followed by a Q&A during the NCAR Section’s Awards Foundational Science Session, actively participate in NCAR Section functions and to attend the NCAR Section Reception and Business Meeting at the American Physiology Summit.