Bodil M. Schmidt-Nielsen Distinguished Mentor and Scientist Award

The Bodil M. Schmidt-Nielsen Distinguished Mentor and Scientist Award honors a member of the American Physiological Society (APS) who is judged to have made outstanding contributions to physiological research and demonstrated dedication and commitment to excellence in training of young physiologists whether by:

• mentoring, guiding and nurturing their professional and personal development;
• developing novel education methods/materials and promoting scientific outreach efforts;
• attracting individuals to the field of physiology; or
• by otherwise fostering an environment exceptionally conducive to education in physiology.

This Award was established to recognize Bodil M. Schmidt-Nielsen (1918-2015). Dr. Schmidt-Nielsen was the first female President of  APS and a distinguished physiologist who made significant contributions in her field of fluid and electrolyte balance and renal function.

The award will be presented annually. The award recipient receives:

• a $1,000 honorarium;
• up to $1,500 in reimbursement of travel expenses related to the APS annual meeting at the American Physiology Summit;
• American Physiology Summit early registration reimbursement; and
• a commemorative plaque.

Nominees and nominators must be current APS members in good standing at the time of application, nominee must be an APS member for two (2) consecutive years, early-career professional (e.g. assistant or associate professor) or established professional (e.g., professor, researcher, dean, director). Self-nominations are not allowed. Awardees must attend the APS annual meeting. 

1. A letter (maximum 5 pages) stating the basis for nomination with a synopsis of the nominee's scientific contributions, mentoring skills and evidence related to the specific evaluation criteria.
2. A list of current and former trainees (undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows and junior faculty), training dates, their current positions and any awards they received. Trainees should list awards received while being mentored by the nominee separately.
3. Up to seven letters of support 
4. Nominee's current (up to date) curriculum vitae, listing honors and awards, professional positions, grants (current and past support), publications and teaching activities.
5. The number of times the nominee has attended the APS annual meeting in the past three years.

Download complete guidelines (PDF):

• Schmidt-Nielsen Award Nomination Information

Nominations can be submitted by any member of the Society through the APS award site and reviewed by the Women in Physiology Committee. 

Please note: the nominator(s) and nominee are required to attend the American Physiology Summit (following the awardee announcement) for the award lecture and presentation. It is incumbent upon the nominator to assure that they will be able to attend the American Physiology Summit with their own travel support. The award cannot be deferred to future years.