WASHINGTON (April 16, 2007) - Albert J. Aguayo, MD, was named 2007 Honorary Member by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) at 12:15 p.m. on Monday, April 16 at the AANS Annual Meeting – Celebrating AANS’ Diamond Jubilee – April 16-19 in Washington, D.C. This recognition is open only to those individuals whose Honorary Membership adds distinction to the ranks of the organization. Candidates must be internationally renowned, and have made outstanding educational, research, or clinical contributions to the field of neurosurgery. Dr. Aguayo has played an integral role in advancing innovative research efforts as a member of the AANS Neurosurgical Research and Education Foundation Scientific Advisory Committee.

A native of Argentina, Dr. Aguayo received his medical degree from the University of Cordoba Medical School in 1959. After training at the University of Toronto and McGill University, he was awarded a McLaughlin Fellowship in 1966 to do research in the United Kingdom. Dr. Aguayo is professor and former director of the Centre for Research in Neuroscience at McGill University. He is a world-renowned pioneer in the regeneration of damaged or diseased nerve cells. A scientific journal editor, as well as a member of several editorial boards, Dr. Aguayo has authored more than 150 scientific publications.

Dr. Aguayo served as secretary general of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) from 2001 to 2003 and in 2004 was elected president of IBRO. He has held leadership positions on numerous other professional societies worldwide, including president of the Society for Neuroscience, the Canadian Neurological Society and the Canadian Association of Neuroscientists. He has served as scientific director of the Canadian Network of Centres of Excellence in Neuroscience and chairman of the Council of Scientists of the Human Frontier Science Program ( Strasbourg). Dr. Aguayo was chair of the Scientific Advisory Board of the Max-Planck Institute in Martinsried, Germany and the Friedrich Miescher Institute in Basel, Switzerland, in addition to serving on many other international scientific advisory boards.

Dr. Aguayo is an officer of the Order of Canada and the recipient of numerous awards, including the Killam Prize for Health Sciences from the Canada Council in 1999, one of the country's most prestigious prizes for scientists. Additional select awards include the Gairdner International Prize, Wakeman, Helmerich, Ameritec, Ipsen, Leo Parizeau, Cotzias, Wilder-Penfield (Prix du Québec), the Alcon Research Institute Award for Vision Research, the Christopher Reeve Medal, The ER Golden Jubilee Medal, and the J.E. Purkinje Honorary Medal for Merit by the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic.

Founded in 1931 as the Harvey Cushing Society, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) is a scientific and educational association with more than 6,800 members worldwide. The AANS is dedicated to advancing the specialty of neurological surgery in order to provide the highest quality of neurosurgical care to patients. All active members of the AANS are certified by the American Board of Neurological Surgery, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons (Neurosurgery) of Canada or the Mexican Council of Neurological Surgery, AC. Neurological surgery is the medical specialty concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of disorders that affect the entire nervous system including the spinal column, spinal cord, brain and peripheral nerves.

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