Key Dates and Deadlines
The deadline for nominations for the Gold-Haythornthwaite Lifetime Achievement Award is November 2, 2026 with the award ceremony being held during the 2027 USASP Annual Scientific Meeting..
Eligibility
The nominee should have a sustained record of exceptional contribution and leadership that has meaningfully advanced the understanding of pain, improved pain care or quality of life, strengthened the pain field, or served people and communities affected by pain.
The nominee should demonstrate contributions in more than one area, such as through research, clinical care, education, mentorship, policy, advocacy, public service, community or people with lived experience (PWLE) engagement, organizational leadership, implementation, knowledge mobilization, infrastructure-building, and other meaningful forms of impact. Nominees may come from a wide range of backgrounds and pathways, including academic, clinical, political, community-based, and lived experience expertise.
The nominee should:
-
Have a minimum of 25 years in active engagement and demonstrated leadership in the field of pain research, clinical practice, policy, education, or other forms of impact.
-
Showcase substantial contributions to the advancement of pain science in more than one area, which may include, but are not limited to:
-
Pain research and scientific discovery
-
Clinical care, access to care, and health-care delivery for all patients
-
Public policy, advocacy, or federal leadership
-
Education, mentorship, and workforce development
-
Community and PWLE engagement
This recognition honors individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the advancement of pain research, clinical practice, policy, and/or education. Their work reflects a deep commitment to advancing the pain field and improving the lives of people affected by pain.
It is with great respect and appreciation that we acknowledge their achievements and the lasting impact they continue to make within the pain community. Their dedication inspires progress and strengthens the foundation of our field.
Detailed Nomination Process
To nominate an individual for the Lifetime Achievement Award, the nominator must use the Fourwaves platform to submit an application. Please see the submission form here.
2026
Linda Porter, PhD
Linda Porter, PhD is the retired Director of the former Office of Pain Policy at NINDS. In this capacity, Dr. Porter provided guidance and coordination of the NIH pain research programs through collaboration with the NIH Pain Consortium and supported the activities and programs of the consortium. She also served as the Designated Federal Official for the Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee, an entity established though the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 to address issues relevant to the federal pain research portfolio.
Dr. Porter joined the NINDS in 2003 as a Program Director in Systems and Cognitive Neuroscience.
Dr. Porter received a B.Sc. in Physical Therapy from McGill University. Her clinical practice focused on developmental disabilities. She later earned a Ph.D. in neuroanatomy from Boston University School of Medicine. As a postdoctoral fellow at the Rockefeller University, she trained with Hiroshi Asanuma in neurophysiology of sensory-motor systems.
She was on the faculty of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) for 15 years before joining the NINDS. During those years she directed an NIH funded research program aimed at elucidating mechanisms of sensory-motor integration at the cortical level. She also studied the effects of various neuromodulators on developing cortical neurons and their neuroprotective influence over neurons in the mature cortex. She taught in the Graduate Neuroscience Program and the School of Medicine at USUHS.
Dr. Porter remains active in USASP and advocacy for pain research and clinical care.
2025
Clifford J. Woolf, M.B., B.Ch., Ph.D. is a renowned neurobiologist and professor of neurology and neurobiology at Harvard Medical School, and director of the F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center at Boston Children’s Hospital . Born in South Africa, he earned his M.B., B.Ch., and Ph.D. from the University of the Witwatersrand before moving to London in 1979 to join University College.
Dr. Woolf’s groundbreaking research unveiled central sensitization—a phenomenon whereby nerve injury heightens spinal cord neuron excitability via NMDA receptors, leading to pain amplification.
He also pioneered the spared nerve injury model of neuropathic pain and advanced understanding of neuro‑immune mediators in inflammatory pain. In 1997, he shifted to the U.S., becoming the first Richard J. Kitz Professor of Anesthesiology Research at HMS before taking his current leadership roles.
A mentor and visionary, he champions the use of human stem‑cell‑derived neurons for modeling pain and other neurological conditions. His accolades include the Gill Distinguished Scientist Award, Reeve‑Irvine Medal, Kerr Award, and honorary fellowships from leading societies, and he serves on key NIH advisory boards.
2024
Throughout their illustrious career, Dr. Loeser and Dr. Ballantyne's commitment to advancing understanding and treatment of pain has been truly remarkable. Their unwavering dedication, leadership, and innovative approaches have paved the way for significant progress in the field. Their pioneering research, innovative methods in pain management, and exemplary clinical care have touched countless individuals' lives, leaving an enduring impact on the landscape of pain treatment.
Their extensive body of work reflects a steadfast pursuit of excellence and tireless efforts to enhance patient outcomes. They have served as an inspiration and mentor to numerous professionals within the community, solidifying their legacy as a preeminent leader in the field of pain research and clinical practice.
Annual Conference
Education
Membership
About USASP
