The 2026 Cortical Evolution Conference was held in Bilbao, Spain, June 15–17, bringing together leading neuroscientists studying cortical development, evolution, and function. During the meeting, the Cajal Club presented its 2026 Pinckney J. Harman Memorial Lecture delivered by Professor Zoltán Molnár. 

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This conference brought together the best neuroscientists from Europe, the Americas and Africa to discuss the evolutionary origins and development of the mammalian cerebral cortex. The conference was organized by Verónica Martínez Cerdeño, Fernando García Moreno, Elena Vecino and Stephen Noctor and consisted of faculty, trainees and researchers from around the world. It included established investigators who presented their work as well as posters and short talks from early career researchers.

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The scientific program brought together established international experts from various fields of study including developmental neuroscience and evolutionary neuroscience. In addition to the faculty members, who are currently directing laboratories all over the world, trainees from different countries and research fields presented their research as posters as well as were selected to deliver short talks to introduce their work as emerging researchers. The topics covered by the presentations focused on current research on cortical evolution from the point of view of human brain development, cortical neurogenesis, and comparative neuroanatomy and cognition. Also, various evolutionary mechanisms that have influenced the structure and function of the mammalian brain were discussed. The goal of the scientific program of the conference was to present current knowledge on the evolution of the cerebral cortex and its implications for normal functions of the brain as well as for neurodegenerative diseases.

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Pinckney J. Harman Memorial Lecture

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Professor Zoltán Molnár, of the Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics at the University of Oxford and Fellow of St John’s College, was selected as the 2026 recipient of the Pinckney J. Harman Memorial Lecture by the Board of the Cajal Club at the annual Society for Neuroscience conference.

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The Pinckney J. Harman Memorial Lecture is a prestigious distinction awarded to leading neuroscientists . Since its establishment in 1951–52, when the first lecture was delivered by Rafael Lorente de Nó, the award has recognised many of the most eminent figures in the field. Professor Molnár is the second Hungarian scientist to deliver the lecture, following János Szentágothai in 1971–72, and the second lecturer from the University of Oxford, following Ray W. Guillery in 1997–98.

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The 2026 lecture took place during the Cortical Evolution Conference in Bilbao, held from 15–17 June 2026 . Professor Nenad Sestan, President-Elect of the Cajal Club and Harvey and Kate Cushing Professor of Neuroscience at Yale School of Medicine, presented the certificate and introduced Professor Molnár’s lecture, entitled “Subcortical Plate: A Transient Structure with Lasting Impact on Evolution, Circuit Assembly and Cognitive Functions.”

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Professor Nenad Šestan said: “Professor Molnár is an authority on the development and evolution of the mammalian cerebral cortex. His work has been especially influential in revealing the importance of transient developmental structures and early patterns of connectivity in shaping the cerebral cortex, including the role of subplate neurons and thalamocortical pathways.”

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Professor Molnár expressed his gratitude to the members of the Cajal Club for this recognition and for the opportunity to deliver the memorial lecture.