Columbia Neurology Faculty Honored at 2026 ANA Annual Meeting
The Columbia University Department of Neurology is proud to celebrate two faculty members being recognized at the American Neurological Association’s (ANA) 151st Annual Meeting, October 17–20 in San Diego: Neil Shneider, MD, PhD, recipient of the ANA Award for Excellence, and Olajide Williams, MD, MS, recipient of the Audrey S. Penn Lectureship Award. These honors recognize their contributions to neurological research, clinical care, leadership, and mentorship.
Dr. Shneider, the Claire Tow Professor of Motor Neuron Disorders and director of the Eleanor and Lou Gehrig ALS Center, is being recognized for more than 15 years of outstanding scientific contributions. A dedicated physician-scientist, he has devoted his career to understanding amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and developing new treatments for patients with this devastating disease. His pioneering work has helped advance individualized genetic therapies for rare forms of ALS, including a treatment targeting FUS-associated ALS that has progressed from compassionate use to an international Phase 3 clinical trial. Dr. Shneider will receive his award on Sunday, October 18, during the ANA's Repetitive Sequences in Neurological Diseases and Health plenary session.
Dr. Williams, professor of neurology, senior vice chair of Neurology, and vice dean of Community Health at Columbia's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, is being honored for his outstanding contributions to neurological science through innovative research, leadership, and mentorship. A stroke neurologist and internationally recognized leader in addressing health disparities, Dr. Williams has dedicated much of his career to improving stroke prevention and reducing inequities in health care. Through his research, community partnerships, and co-founding of Hip Hop Public Health, he has helped bring health education and prevention initiatives to underserved communities. He will deliver his award lecture, Health Disparities: A Historical and Contemporary View Through the Lens of Stroke, on Monday, October 19.
We are enormously proud of Drs. Shneider and Williams, not only for their achievements in their respective fields, but also for the dedication, leadership, and commitment to patients, colleagues, and trainees that they bring to our department. We congratulate both on this well-deserved recognition.
The department also congratulates Columbia Neurology resident Natalie Smith, MD, recipient of the ANA International Outreach Travel Scholarship. A third-year resident with a particular interest in neuroinfectious diseases, Dr. Smith will be recognized during the ANA's Global Neurology Initiatives workshop on Sunday, October 18.