2026 Pioneer Award in Basic Science Winner

Instituto de Investigaciones en Ingeniería Genética y Biología Molecular,

CONICET,

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Bio:

Dr. Ana Belén Elgoyhen Obtained her Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of Buenos Aires and performed her postdoctoral training in Molecular Neurobiology at the Salk Institute, California, under the supervision of Steve Heinemann. Head of the Laboratory of Genetics and Physiology of Hearing, INGEBI-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina since 1997. Best known for elucidating the molecular entity of the receptors that mediate synaptic transmission between efferent olivocochlear fibers and cochlear hair cells. Her interests include the physiology of olivocochlear efferents at the systems and synaptic level, the mechanisms underlying noise-induced hearing loss and the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms leading to tinnitus. Recipient of several awards including: John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellow (2003, USA), TWAS prize in Biology (2011), Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Scholar (1997-2011), Latin American Laureate of the L’Oréal-UNESCO Awards for Women in Science (2008), Scientist of the Argentine Nation nominated by the President (2012), Fondation Pour L´Audition Grand Prix (2018). She is a member of the World Academy of Science, the Latin American Academy of Science and the Argentine Academy of Science.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: ARO PIONEER AWARD IN BASIC SCIENCE

The Association for Research in Otolaryngology will start accepting nominations for the 2026 ARO Pioneer Award in Basic Science on June 15, 2027. 

ABOUT THE ARO PIONEER AWARD IN BASIC SCIENCE

This award recognizes a body of work representing a significant advance in hearing, vestibular, or related science and established in the awardee’s own lab.  The topic should be related to the scientific interests of the Association as represented at the annual ARO meeting.  As the award is for a body of work, the award may be shared among investigators who have worked as a team. The awardee(s) will be honored at the ARO Award Ceremony during the 2026 MidWinter Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

REMINDER:  Nominees, nominators, and letter-writers are not required to be ARO members.  Self-nominations are not accepted.

 Please read carefully before submitting.

Nominations should include the following:

1. A curriculum vitae (CV or CVs for multi-investigator teams)
2. At least one nomination letter (May include up to three supporting letters; letters may have multiple signatories) 

Nominations are meticulously selected by the ARO Award Committee and then submitted to the ARO Council for approval.  A nominee’s package will be considered for up to 3 years in sequence; the package can be updated for the second and third years.  Nominations submitted in previous years without meeting the new standards should be resubmitted, ensuring a fair and comprehensive evaluation