The Ken Nakayama Medal is in honor of Professor Ken Nakayama’s contributions to the Vision Sciences Society, as well as his numerous innovations and consistent excellence in the vision sciences. The Medal is given to any vision scientist who has made exceptional, significant, or lasting contributions to vision science. The nature of this work can be fundamental, clinical, or applied. Nominations of scientists from all career stages are encouraged.

Nomination Process

Nominations may be made by any (a) regular member, or (b) postdoctoral member, or (c) those who hold emeritus status. A nominee need not be a current member of the Vision Sciences Society. Previously considered nominees are eligible to be re-nominated. Please note that only one nomination per candidate will be accepted. If multiple nominations for the same individual are received, we will ask the nominators to collaborate and submit a joint nomination.

The nomination must include the following:

• One nomination letter, outlining in detail the contributions and innovations of the nominee, discussing clear indicators of the nominee’s impact on the field of vision science. The nomination letter can be co-signed.
• A curriculum vita including an up-to-date publication list.
• No more than four letters of support, three of which must be from regular members, postdoctoral members, or those who hold emeritus status.

Nominations should be submitted by email to Shauney Wilson.

Nominations will be reviewed by an Award Committee, consisting of the five most recent past-presidents of the Vision Sciences Society. Members of the Award Committee and of the VSS Board of Directors may not serve as nominators or nominees, or provide letters of support.

Schedule

Nominations Open: November 24, 2024
Nominations Close: January 24, 2025
Recipient Announced: by March 6, 2025

The Davida Teller Award is in honor of Professor Davida Teller’s exceptional scientific achievements, commitment to equity, and strong history of mentoring. The award is given to a female vision scientist in recognition of her exceptional, significant, or lasting contributions to the field of vision science. The nature of this work can be fundamental, clinical or applied. The award is open to all career stages.

Nomination Process

Nominations may be made by any current (a) regular member, or (b) postdoctoral member, or (c) those who hold emeritus status. A nominee must have been an active VSS member in recent years. Previously considered nominees are eligible to be re-nominated. Please note that only one nomination per candidate will be accepted. If multiple nominations for the same individual are received, we will ask the nominators to collaborate and submit a joint nomination.

The nomination must include the following:

1. One nomination letter, outlining in detail the contributions and innovations of the nominee, discussing clear indicators of the nominee’s impact on the field of vision science. The nomination letter can be co-signed.
2. A curriculum vita including an up-to-date publication list.
3. No more than four letters of support, three of which must be from regular members, postdoctoral members, or those who hold emeritus status.

Nominations should be submitted by email to Shauney Wilson.

Nominations will be reviewed by an Award Committee consisting of a member of the VSS Board of Directors, and four established scientists selected from the VSS membership. Members of the Award Committee and of the VSS Board of Directors may not serve as nominators or nominees, or provide letters of support.

Schedule

Nominations Open: November 25, 2024
Nominations Close: January 24, 2025
Recipient Announced: by March 10, 2025

The Elsevier/VSS Young Investigator Award, sponsored by Vision Research, is given to an early-career vision scientist who has made outstanding contributions to the field. The nature of this work can be fundamental, clinical, or applied. The award selection committee gives highest weight to the significance, originality and potential long-range impact of the work. The selection committee may also take into account the nominee’s previous participation in VSS conferences or activities, and substantial obstacles that the nominee may have overcome in their careers.   The awardee is asked to give a brief presentation of her/his work and is required to write an article to be published in Vision Research.

Nomination Process

Nominations may be made by any current regular member or postdoctoral member of the Vision Sciences Society, as well as those who hold emeritus status. A nominee must be an active VSS member, attending at least three of the last five VSS meetings. Nominees may have no more than 10 years of active research experience since earning their terminal degree, allowing for the exclusion of times that typically “stop the clock” in academic tenure track positions. For the upcoming 2025 award, if there was no break in active research/teaching, the degree must have been awarded in or after 2015. If still eligible, nominees from previous years can be re-nominated. Please note that only one nomination per candidate will be accepted. If multiple nominations for the same individual are received, we will ask the nominators to collaborate and submit a joint nomination.

The nomination must include:

1. A nomination letter, outlining in detail the scientific contributions of the nominee, and discussing clear indicators of exceptional impact on the field of vision science. The nomination letter can be co-signed.
2. If life circumstances (e.g., leaves of absence) would extend the period of eligibility for the award, a brief statement should be included (even if the candidate is not in the final year of eligibility).
3. A curriculum vita including an up-to-date publication list.
4. One letter of support from regular members, postdoctoral members or those who hold emeritus status.

Nominations should be submitted by email to Shauney Wilson.

Nominations are reviewed by an Award Committee consisting of a representative of the VSS Board of Directors and five established scientists selected from VSS membership. Members of the Award Committee and of the VSS Board of Directors cannot serve as nominators or provide letters of support.

Schedule

Nominations Open: December 12, 2024
Nominations Close: February 10, 2025
Recipient Announced: March 27, 2025