Brenda Bigland-Ritchie Award

About Brenda Bigland-Ritchie

(September 23, 1927 – March 25, 2019)

Dr. Brenda Bigland-Ritchie was a pioneering scientist who has made seminal contributions to our understanding of skeletal muscle physiology. Her research focused on the metabolic cost of muscle shortening and lengthening contractions, the relationship between muscle activation and force, the analysis of motor unit rate coding in humans, and the processes underlying muscle fatigue. She was highly innovative in her application of novel methodologies and devoted considerable effort to relate the results of human experiments to those obtained from animal research.

Dr. Bigland-Ritchie began her undergraduate education in Physiology and worked as a research fellow at University College London. After a break from university to take care of her children, she returned to part-time research and to teaching at Hunter College and at Marymount College in Tarrytown in New York. She then obtained her PhD for the research conducted when she was at University College London. She got a tenure at Quinnipiac College, Connecticut, where she later joined the John B Pierce Laboratory and the Department of Pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine. She concluded her career working at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Florida.

ISEK is pleased to invite nominations for the Brenda Bigland-Ritchie award.  The award will be awarded for the first time in 2026.

The award consists of a complimentary registration to the following ISEK congress, a $750 travel honorarium, presentation in the Award Session at the Congress as well as recognition in the Congress program. This award will be presented at the ISEK congress and can only be received once by an individual.

Criteria for Application:

This award will recognize an outstanding mid-career researcher, who:

• Is more than 8 and less than 20 years since receiving their PhD.
• Has applied innovative methods of electrophysiology or kinesiology to study movement.
• Has advanced our understanding of the physiology / neurophysiology of human movement.
• Has a strong publication record across translational fields that include either:
• (i) both human and animal-based studies, OR
• (ii) both fundamental and clinical sciences, including with patient populations.
• Is ideally a member of ISEK (but this is not essential)
• Is able to attend the following ISEK congress, where the award will be presented

Nomination:

We encourage members to recognize the current diversity in our field when making nominations. To nominate an individual or self-nominate, please submit the following:

• A 1-page cover letter (or nomination letter) that highlights how all criteria are met
• A CV detailing the applicant’s contribution in line with the criteria above.

Nominations open September 15, 2025

Nominations close October 31, 2025

Nominations should be submitted via email to the Society at: