The Rainwater Charitable Foundation (RCF) is proud to award the 2026 Rainwater Prize for Outstanding Innovation in Neurodegenerative Disease Research to a team from Mayo Clinic Florida: Dr. Dennis W. Dickson, M.D., and Dr. Melissa E. Murray, Ph.D.

The Rainwater Prize, established by the RCF in 2018 following Richard E. Rainwater’s diagnosis with a primary tauopathy, honors scientific advancements in neurodegenerative disease research and supports work that brings us closer to treatments, and ultimately a cure, for primary tauopathies like progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

The Outstanding Innovation Prize recognizes collaborators Drs. Dickson and Murray for their leadership of the Mayo Clinic Brain Bank, one of the largest brain banks dedicated to tauopathies, as well as their combined efforts to enable precise neuropathological diagnoses and quantification of disease severity. Dr. Murray’s application of digital pathology techniques in tandem with Dr. Dickson’s expertise in neuropathologic diagnostics has been instrumental in facilitating the early detection and monitoring of disease progress in primary tauopathies. Of special note is the leadership role that Dr. Dickson served in developing the criteria for the neuropathologic diagnosis of PSP.

Drs. Dickson and Murray have also demonstrated exemplary leadership and mentorship, nurturing the next generation of scientists and clinicians. Dr. Dickson served as Dr. Murray’s graduate advisor, a formative mentorship that has since evolved into a close and highly productive scientific collaboration. Reflecting on this relationship, Dr. Dickson notes, “Melissa was my graduate student, and I never had a better graduate student because I ended up learning more from her than she probably did from me.” Dr. Murray notes, “Dr. Dickson is a living legend. He always made the time, and now we’re close collaborators. Our offices are right next door to each other.”

Beyond their collaborative relationship, Dr. Murray has participated in numerous scientific program committees, including the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference, and serves as an international advisory board member for the International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases. Dr. Dickson previously served as President of the American Association of Neuropathologists and currently serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee for the Society for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Jeremy Smith, President of the RCF, stated that, “It is an honor to recognize the collaborative efforts that drive progress in tauopathy research. Richard Rainwater championed innovative ideas that moved the field forward, and Drs. Dickson and Murray do just that through their partnership and shared commitment to advancing our understanding of these diseases.”

The Rainwater Charitable Foundation proudly recognizes Drs. Dickson and Murray for their exceptional contributions with the 2026 Rainwater Prize for Outstanding Innovation in Neurodegenerative Disease Research and looks forward to the continued impact of their work on the field.

Want to learn more about the researchers and discoveries recognized by the Rainwater Prize? Visit the Rainwater Prize.