Brian Kwon, MD, PhD, FRCSC has been a NASS member since 2000. He is a Professor in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of British Columbia, where he serves as the Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Spinal Cord Injury and holds the endowed Dvorak Chair in Spine Trauma. As Director of the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries (ICORD), one of the world’s largest spinal cord injury research centers, Dr. Kwon has dedicated his career to advancing translational research that improves outcomes for patients with spinal cord injury.

“Dr. Kwon’s work has fundamentally transformed the field of spinal cord injury research and has inspired investigators around the world,” said Heidi Hullinger, MD. “His relentless pursuit of scientific discovery, coupled with his commitment to collaboration and mentorship, has accelerated the translation of laboratory discoveries into meaningful advances for patients.”

Dr. Kwon has authored more than 350 peer-reviewed publications, secured more than $95 million in extramural research funding, and established the world’s only International Spinal Cord Injury Biobank to support investigators globally. His groundbreaking work in spinal cord injury biomarkers, large-animal translational models, and neurologic recovery has earned numerous honors, including the inaugural Neilsen Foundation Visionary Prize and the University of British Columbia's Jacob Biely Faculty Research Prize.

All awards will be presented to winners during an awards ceremony at the NASS 2026 Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX on October 15, 2026. If you would like to read more about this year’s winners, or nominate a colleague for 2027 awards, please visit www.spine.org/awards.