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The 2026 World Congress on Pain Keynote Prize Lectures will be delivered by Koichi Noguchi, MD, PhD, recipient of the John J. Bonica Prize for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in the Basic Science of Pain, and Ralf Baron, MD, recipient of the John D. Loeser Prize for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in the Clinical Science of Pain. Both recipients have been selected by a distinguished panel of IASP leaders, including Honorary Members, former IASP Presidents, and previous Prize recipients.
Molecular Histochemical Analysis of Neuroplasticity-Related Gene Expression in Pain Pathway
John J. Bonica Prize for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in the Basic Science of Pain
For 40 years, accomplished neuroscientist Koichi Noguchi, MD, PhD, has significantly advanced our understanding of how pain signals are modulated and maintained under chronic conditions, particularly through his work on signal pathways such as ATF, TRP channels, and ATP signaling. His research spans a wide range of pain types, from neuropathic to visceral and musculoskeletal, reflecting both depth and breadth across the field.
Beyond his scientific accomplishments, Professor Noguchi has been a towering figure in Japan and across East Asia, promoting education, advocacy, and multidisciplinary collaboration in pain management. His influence extends beyond the laboratory; through his prolific publications, teaching, and public service, he has helped shape healthcare policy and improve clinical understanding of chronic pain worldwide.
In his Keynote Prize Lecture, Professor Noguchi will present a comprehensive overview of his pioneering work investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms of chronic pain. Drawing from his experience integrating morphological techniques with molecular biological approaches, behavioral analyses, and electrophysiological recordings, Professor Noguchi will discuss the intricate molecular dynamics that sustain chronic pain conditions. His lecture will also highlight emerging hypotheses and future directions for pain research, including the use of advanced techniques such as neural activity manipulation and single-cell gene expression analysis to unravel the complexities of nociceptive processing.
Koichi Noguchi, MD, PhD
Hyogo College of Medicine, Japan
The Neuropathic Chameleon: We are Hot on the Scent
John D. Loeser Prize for Distinguished Lifetime Achievement in the Clinical Science of Pain
For more than 30 years, Ralf Baron, MD, has been at the forefront of clinical pain research, transforming how neuropathic pain is understood, classified, and treated. His pioneering work in phenotyping strategies has laid the foundation for a more personalized, mechanism-based approach to therapy. By linking individual sensory profiles to underlying biological mechanisms, Professor Baron has advanced the ability to subgroup patients, improving the precision of both clinical trials and real-world treatment outcomes.
A leading authority in neuropathic pain and complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), Professor Baron has bridged basic and clinical science to refine methods of pain assessment and classification. His development and implementation of key tools such as painDETECT and quantitative sensory testing (QST) have reshaped the way clinicians evaluate and manage chronic pain. Through extensive contributions to international clinical trials, treatment guidelines, and the mechanistic classification of pain, he has brought clarity to conditions once defined by diagnostic uncertainty—the “neuropathic chameleon.”
Beyond his scientific contributions, Professor Baron is a respected global mentor and collaborator whose scholarship and generosity have inspired a generation of pain clinicians and researchers. His commitment to education, multidisciplinary exchange, and rigorous methodology has made him one of the most esteemed figures in the field of clinical pain science.
In his Keynote Prize Lecture, Professor Baron will present an overview of recent advances in sensory profiling, machine learning, and biomarker discovery, and how these innovations are guiding the field toward the ultimate goal of neuropathic pain research: disease-modifying treatments that restore nerve function and relieve pain at its source.
Ralf Baron, MD
University of Kiel, Germany