Phillip Popovich, a professor in the College of Medicine, has been named a 2025 Distinguished University Professor, the highest faculty honor at The Ohio State University.
“Professor Popovich’s research on spinal cord injury and neuro inflammation is particularly noteworthy,” said Ravi V. Bellamkonda, executive vice president and provost. “His scientific contributions have positively impacted the lives of countless people around the globe, and Ohio State is fortunate to count him among our most gifted faculty members.”
Popovich has conducted more than 20 years of groundbreaking research at Ohio State, leading to significant discoveries, including the crucial role of immune cells in regulating spinal cord injury and repair processes.
Popovich serves as chair of the Department of Neuroscience in the College of Medicine, as well as executive director of the Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury and director of the Center for Brain and Spinal Cord Repair. He is also a faculty affiliate in the Chronic Brain Injury program. Throughout his career, he has published more than 160 peer-reviewed papers and secured more than $90 million in research funding. In recognition of his exceptional research achievements, Popovich was honored with the university’s Distinguished Scholar Award in 2018.
In addition to his research, Popovich has demonstrated excellence in teaching, mentorship and service. He developed and long taught a neuroimmunology course that remains a cornerstone of the neuroscience graduate program and delivered lectures in a federally funded spinal cord injury training program for 17 consecutive years. Throughout his tenure, he has mentored more than 140 students, postdoctoral researchers and fellow faculty members. Popovich also has a long record of service to Ohio State and his broader field, serving on more than 60 Ohio State committees and more than 35 national or international organizations. He currently serves as the faculty representative to the Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships committee of the Board of Trustees.
Popovich is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and in 2017, he received the David F. Apple, Jr. Award from the American Spinal Injury Association in recognition of the best-published paper by a clinician or researcher. In 2025, he received the College of Medicine’s Distinguished Professor Award.
“Dr. Popovich has had an immeasurable impact here at Ohio State and in the fields of spinal cord injury and neuroimmunology,” wrote College of Medicine Dean Carol R. Bradford in her nomination. “He is an extremely valued member of our faculty, and his exceptional research, teaching and service set him apart as a leader at Ohio State.”
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. Distinguished University Professors automatically become members of the President's and Provost's Advisory Committee. In addition, recipients are awarded a $30,000 one-time grant to support their academic work. Popovich received a surprise classroom visit from university leadership announcing the award and will be recognized at the annual Faculty Awards Celebration on April 25.
