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Recognizing Excellence in Physiology 

Hear from this year’s slate of American Physiological Society (APS) major award winners and distinguished lecturers. As leaders in their respective fields, we recognize these inspiring speakers for their exceptional contributions and lifelong dedication to research. Location, date and time of the presentations are available in the meeting program.


Bodil M. Schmidt-Nielsen Distinguished Mentor and Scientist Lecture

Mentoring in Real Life: Lessons Learned from the Lab and Beyond
Alexander Staruschenko, PhD, FAPS
University of South Florida
April 24, 3:45–4:30 p.m., Conv. Ctr. Exploration Stage

Marion J. Siegman Award Lecture

Mechanisms of Muscle Contraction: from Molecules to Cells
Dilson Rassier, PhD
Simon Fraser University
April 25, 12:30–2 p.m., Conv. Ctr. M100 FG


Does Stretch Activation Compensate for Calcium-activated Force Loss During Muscle Fatigue
Douglas Swank, PhD
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
April 25, 12:30–2 p.m., Conv. Ctr. M100 FG

Henry Pickering Bowditch Award Lecture

Mechanisms of Maternal Microvascular Dysfunction After Complicated Pregnancy
Ann Stanhewicz, PhD
University of Iowa
April 23, 2–3:15 p.m., Conv. Ctr. Room 101D

Walter B. Cannon Memorial Award Luncheon

The Wisdom of Metabolic Homeostasis: Mechanistic Insights into Insulin Resistance and Cariometabolic Disease
Gerald Shulman, MD, PhD, FAPS
Yale University
April 25, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Room 101B

Cardiovascular Section
Robert M. Berne Distinguished Lecture

Novel GPCR Regulation of cAMP and NO Signaling in HFrEF and HFpEF
Yang Kevin Xiang, PhD
University of California, Los Angeles
April 25, 2:30–4 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Room L100F

Cell & Molecular Physiology Section
Hugh Davson Distinguished Lecture

The Impact of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Skeletal Muscle: From Cellular and Molecular Physiology to Tissue Function
Thomas Hawke, PhD, FAPS
McMaster University
2026, WEBINAR

Central Nervous Section
Joseph Erlanger Distinguished Lecture

Neurodegeneration in Focus: Connecting Biomarkers to Mechanisms in Order to Enable Therapeutic Innovation
Jeff Dage, PhD
Indiana University School of Medicine
April 25, 2:30–4 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Auditorium 2

Comparative & Evolutionary Section
August Krogh Distinguished Lecture

Born to Run: 32 Years of Selective Breeding for Voluntary Exercise in Mice
Theodore Garland Jr., PhD
University of California, Riverside
April 25, 2:30–4 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Room 101 D

Endocrinology & Metabolism Section
Solomon A. Berson Distinguished Lecture

Endocrine Discovery Then and Now: Adipose Tissue as a Driver of Metabolic Health
Philipp E. Scherer, PhD
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
April 24, 2:30–4 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Room M100 F

Environmental & Exercise Physiology Section
Edward F. Adolph Distinguished Lecture

Exercise and the Circadian Clock: Partners in Health
Karyn Esser, PhD
University of Florida
April 25, 12:30–2 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Auditorium 3

Gastrointestinal & Liver Physiology Section
Horace W. Davenport Distinguished Lecture

Electrolyte Transport Redefined: Shaping the Gut Barrier, Microbiome, and a Lifelong Curiosity
Pradeep Dudeja, PhD
University of Illinois Chicago
April 24, 8–9:30 a.m., Conv. Ctr., Room M100 E

Neural Control & Autonomic Regulation Section
Carl Ludwig Distinguished Lecture

Molecular Regulation of the Brain Renin-angiotensin System in Cardiometabolic Disease.
Eric Lazartigues, PhD, FAPS
Louisiana State University Health New Orleans
April 25, 12:30–2 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Auditorium 2

Renal Section
Carl W. Gottschalk Distinguished Lecture

A New View of the Macula Densa by Intravital Imaging
Janos Peti-Peterdi, MD, PhD
University of Southern California
April 24, 2:30–4 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Auditorium 1

Respiration Section
Julius H. Comroe Jr. Distinguished Lecture

On the Shoulders of Giants: Surfactant Biology, Misbehaving Proteins and the Origins of Pulmonary Fibrosis
Michael Beers, MD, FAPS
Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania
April 24, 2:30–4 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Auditorium 2

Teaching of Physiology Section
Claude Bernard Distinguished Lecture

Cultivating Minds, One Nephron at a Time: 20 Years of Renal Physiology Education
Lisa Harrison-Bernard, PhD, FAPS
Louisiana State University Health New Orleans
April 24, 1:45–2:30 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Exploration Stage

Water & Electrolyte Homeostasis Section
Ernest H. Starling Distinguished Lecture

A New View of the Kidney: Mathematical Modeling Meets Machine Learning
Anita Layton, PhD
University of Waterloo, Canada
April 25, 2:30–4 p.m., Conv. Ctr., Auditorium 3

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