Established in 1947 to celebrate neuroanatomy and now promotes all of neuroscience.

Floyd E. Bloom was a medical researcher specializing in chemical neuroanatomy. He earned his A.B., cum laude, from Southern Methodist University in 1956 and his M.D., cum laude, from Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine in 1960. Following his internship and residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Bloom held significant positions, including chairman emeritus of the Department of Neuropharmacology at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, director of Behavioral Neurobiology at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, and chief of the Laboratory of Neuropharmacology at the National Institute of Mental Health. He also served as editor-in-chief of Science from 1995 to 2000 and as president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Bloom is a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the American Philosophical Society. Bloom was the winner of the special 2016 Life-time Achievement, Palay Award given by the Editor of the Journal of Comparative Neurology. In 1999 he delivered the Cajal Club's Pinckney J.Harman Memorial Lecture.

"O’Leary was a leader in brain development and was a professor at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies for nearly three decades."

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Dennis D.M. O’Leary, PhD, a distinguished figure in neuroscience, passed away in 2024. After earning his doctorate from Washington University School of Medicine in 1983, he held academic positions there and at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. O’Leary's pioneering research on cortical development significantly advanced the understanding of brain organization. He was also a dedicated mentor, guiding many who became leaders in neuroscience and neurology. Dennis served as the Cajal Club President from 2012-2014 and in 2007 he was an awardee of the Krieg Cortical Kudos Discover Award.

Duane E. Haines, PhD, was a distinguished neuroscientist and educator, renowned for his expertise in neuroanatomy. He authored the widely used textbook "Neuroanatomy: An Atlas of Structures, Sections, and Systems," which has been instrumental in the education of countless medical and graduate students. Dr. Haines held academic positions at several institutions, including the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he served as a professor and chair of the Department of Anatomy. His research focused on the anatomy and connections of the cerebellum and brainstem, contributing significantly to the field of neuroscience. Dr. Haines was the elected Alpha Helix (Official Historian) of the Cajal Club and served in that position from1986-2009. He was recognized for his dedication to teaching and mentorship, leaving a lasting impact on his students and colleagues.