FAU's Lawrence Toll, Ph.D., Named Senior Member of the NAI

Lawrence Toll, Ph.D., a professor of biomedical science in FAU's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and a member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute. (Photo by Alex Dolce)

Lawrence Toll, Ph.D., a professor of biomedical science in Florida Atlantic University 's Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine and a member of the FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, has been named a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI). Toll joins an elite group of innovators whose work has demonstrated a profound impact on science, technology and human health.

The 2026 class of NAI senior members, the largest to date, includes 230 emerging inventors from 82 member institutions worldwide, collectively holding more than 2,000 United States patents. This recognition highlights inventors whose patented technologies have contributed meaningfully to society and the global economy.

"This year's senior member class is a truly impressive cohort. These innovators come from a variety of fields and disciplines, translating their technologies into tangible impact," said Paul R. Sanberg, Ph.D., DSc., FNAI, president of NAI. "I commend them on their incredible pursuits, and I'm honored to welcome them to the academy."

The NAI senior member recognition program, launched in 2018 under the guidance of NAI board member Sethuaman Panchanathan, Ph.D., FNAI, former director of the National Science Foundation, honors active faculty, scientists and administrators at NAI member institutions who have successfully produced, patented and commercialized technologies that have brought or aspire to bring real societal and economic impact.

Currently, there are 945 senior members holding more than 11,000 U.S. patents, reflecting the sustained dedication of member institutions to fostering innovation and celebrating their inventive faculty.

Toll's career exemplifies this spirit of innovation. For more than three decades, his research has focused on the neurobiology and pharmacology of pain and drug addiction. His work has been particularly impactful in the study of opioid receptors, nociceptin (NOP) systems, and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, combining basic and translational research to identify new drug targets and therapeutic strategies.

In 1995, Toll co-discovered nociceptin, the endogenous ligand for the NOP receptor, the fourth member of the opioid receptor family. This discovery has shaped decades of research into pain pathways, reward systems and potential treatments for chronic pain and addiction. His investigations extend to the development of selective ligands for nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, targeting subtypes implicated in nicotine addiction and other substance use disorders. His lab integrates molecular biology, receptor pharmacology, imaging, behavioral studies and medicinal chemistry to translate fundamental findings into therapies for chronic pain, drug abuse and co-occurring conditions.

Over the course of his career, Toll has authored more than 130 publications and holds nine issued or pending patents, with continuous funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse for more than 30 years.

"Dr. Toll's recognition as a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors is a true reflection of his remarkable scientific achievements, his unwavering commitment to advancing biomedical research, and his impact on the broader scientific community," said Lewis S. Nelson, M.D., dean and chief of health affairs, FAU Schmidt College of Medicine. "His work exemplifies the intersection of fundamental discovery and translational innovation, where curiosity-driven science produces real-world solutions."

As an R1 research institution, FAU stands at the forefront of global scientific excellence, driven by faculty whose groundbreaking research shapes the future of discovery.

"Dr. Toll is a shining example of how FAU's research enterprise not only advances knowledge but also generates meaningful technologies that improve lives worldwide," said Gregg Fields, Ph.D., FAU vice president for research. "His career serves as an inspiration to both established and emerging scientists, and his selection as a senior member of National Academy of Inventors further cements FAU's standing as a leader in innovation on the world stage."

Toll earned his Ph.D. in biological chemistry from UCLA in 1978, followed by postdoctoral fellowships at UCLA and Johns Hopkins University, where he trained under the renowned neuroscientist Solomon Snyder, Ph.D. In 1981, Toll joined SRI International in Menlo Park, California, where he conducted pioneering research until 2011. His work has also included extended research appointments in France, first at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique in Toulouse and later at the University of Louis Pasteur in Strasbourg. In 2011, Toll became director of neuropharmacology at Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies before joining FAU in 2018.

"I am honored to be selected as a senior member of the National Academy of Inventors," said Toll. "This recognition reflects the many years of work by my team and collaborators dedicated to advancing research in pain management, addiction and drug discovery. I'm proud to join such an accomplished group of innovators and look forward to continuing efforts to translate scientific discoveries into new therapeutic approaches that can benefit society."

Toll and the other members of the 2026 senior member class will be formally recognized during the Senior Member Induction Ceremony at NAI's 15th annual conference, scheduled from June 1 to 4 in Los Angeles.

-FAU-