Philip Popovich, PhD, named Distinguished University Professor at Ohio State University

Philip Popovich, PhD,  professor and chair of the Department of Neuroscience at The Ohio State University College of Medicine, has been named a 2025 Distinguished University Professor, the highest faculty honor at The Ohio State University. 

This honor recognizes Dr. Popovich’s outstanding research, education and leadership for our university community. His more than 20 years of research have led to groundbreaking discoveries, including the crucial role of immune cells in regulating spinal cord injury and repair processes. 

In her nomination, Carol R. Bradford, MD, MS, FACS, dean of the Ohio State College of Medicine, shared how fortunate our academic institution is to count Dr. Popovich among their most gifted faculty members.  

“Dr. Popovich has had an immeasurable impact here at Ohio State and in the fields of spinal cord injury and neuroimmunology,” Dr. Bradford says. “His scientific contributions have positively impacted the lives of countless people around the globe and set him apart as a leader at Ohio State.” 

Dr. Popovich is deeply honored to be named a Distinguished University Professor and is grateful to everyone who contributed to his success –– his family, his research team and his mentors. 

“I am truly fortunate to be surrounded by such incredible and caring people,” Dr. Popovich says. “I love what I do, and I have been super fortunate to have outstanding trainees and colleagues to help me take on big, sometimes seemingly impossible projects.” 

Dr. Popovich was named a Distinguished University Scholar in 2018, which acknowledged his career scientific achievements and contributions to the research community. It also honored his work’s potential impact on helping people with spinal cord injuries. He believes the Distinguished University Professor Award holds even greater meaning because it also recognizes his consistent dedication to achieving excellence as a teacher, mentor and leader.

He developed and long taught a neuroimmunology course that remains an educational centerpiece of the Neuroscience Graduate Program and has provided 17 years of consecutive lecturing in a federally funded spinal cord injury training program. Throughout his career, he has published more than 160 peer-reviewed papers and secured more than $90 million in research funding. 

“My motivation and commitment to excel in each of these roles is as great as my dedication to research distinction,” Dr. Popovich says. “This award only strengthens my commitment to excellence.”  

The Distinguished University Professor is a permanent, honorific title awarded annually to no more than three tenure-track professors who have been at Ohio State for at least five years and have demonstrated truly exceptional records in teaching, research, scholarly or creative work and in service.  Dr. Popovich is now a member of the President's and Provost's Advisory Committee. He’s been awarded a $30,000 one-time grant to support his further research on the pathophysiological significance of altered neuro-immune communication after spinal cord injury.

The Office of Faculty Affairs will host a Faculty Awards Recognition Ceremony and Reception for recipients of this and other university-wide awards on Friday, April 25, 2025. Read more.