CHICAGO — The American Epilepsy Society (AES) is pleased to recognize Manisha N. Patel, PhD, FAES, as the recipient of the 2026 Founders Award, honoring her exceptional contributions to epilepsy research, scientific leadership, and service to the epilepsy community.
Dr. Patel is Professor and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, where she serves as chief research officer and oversees graduate programs. A faculty member since 2002, she has built a distinguished career advancing understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying epilepsy and identifying promising therapeutic approaches.
Her research focuses on the redox and metabolic basis of epilepsy, including the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in acquired epilepsy and Dravet syndrome. Her laboratory's work has contributed important insights into metabolism-based approaches to epilepsy treatment. Dr. Patel has authored 150 scientific publications, received more than 15,000 citations, and secured numerous research grants from the National Institutes of Health and other organizations.
A past president of AES, Dr. Patel has provided extensive leadership and service to the Society, including serving on the Board of Directors; chairing the Research and Training Council, the Scientific Program Committee, the Basic Science Committee, and the DEI Taskforce; serving as a contributing editor to Epilepsy Currents, and associate editor of Epilepsia Open.
Her numerous honors include the NINDS Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award, the AES Distinguished Service Award, the CURE Innovator Award, the CU Anschutz Distinguished Research Award, the CU Anschutz Shell Prize for Research and Graduate Education, and the Karen Gale Outstanding Women in Neuroscience Lectureship.
Through her scientific achievements, mentorship, and longstanding commitment to AES, Dr. Patel exemplifies the leadership and dedication recognized by the Founders Award.