The Mind & Life Service Award is given annually to a nominee who has provided recent service (within two years) based on the quantity and impact of their contributions to Mind & Life, as well as how well they exemplify Mind & Life values. Board members are not eligible. Each recipient receives a plaque and public acknowledgment.
Past Recipients
Grant Jones
In 2024, Grant Jones received the 2023 Mind & Life Institute Service Award. “Grant continually invites us to be better versions of who we are,” says Director of Grants & Events Krista Weih, “both personally and in support of Mind & Life. We are all better because of Grant’s deep wisdom in service to Mind & Life.”
Read more about Grant’s research and contributions guiding Mind & Life’s direction on our blog »
Ed Taylor, PhD
In 2023, Ed Taylor recieved the 2022 Mind & Life Institute Service Award. “We deeply appreciate the generous and steadfast service Ed has given to Mind & Life over many years,” said President Susan Bauer-Wu. “Ed truly embodies our core values of compassion, integrity, inclusion, curiosity, and excellence in everything he does and how he does it. We are forever grateful for his wisdom, guidance, and warmth as a colleague, who makes all feel welcome and valued in his presence.”
Elissa Epel, PhD and Barbara (Bobbi) Patterson, PhD
At Mind & Life’s Summer Research Institute in June 2022, Elissa Epel (left) and Bobbi Patterson (right) received the 2021 Mind & Life Institute Service Award. Said President Susan Bauer-Wu, “Bobbi and Elissa are both bright lights who have generously served Mind & Life with their brilliance, heart, and time over the years. They have profoundly impacted our organization and those who have attended our programs.”
Robert Roeser, PhD
At Mind & Life’s Summer Research Institute in June 2021, Robert Roeser was honored with the 2020 Mind & Life Institute Service Award. This annual award is given to individuals who are distinguished by the breadth and depth of their involvement with Mind & Life, of which Robert is an illustrative example. Krista Weih, Mind & Life Director of Grants and Events says of Robert “He leads in a way that allows for ‘not knowing,’ and always puts first and foremost the question of how best to serve.”
Helen Weng, PhD
In late 2019, Helen Weng, PhD was honored with the Mind & Life Institute Annual Service Award. The award is given to individuals who are distinguished by the breadth and depth of their involvement with Mind & Life, and who embody its core values of compassion, integrity, curiosity, inclusion, and excellence. Dr. Weng was formally acknowledged at Mind & Life’s Contemplative Research Conference in November 2020.
Read a tribute to Dr. Weng and learn about her innovative research on our blog »
Clifford Saron, PhD
At the 2018 International Symposium for Contemplative Research, Mind & Life presented Clifford Saron, PhD with its inaugural Service Award. Said Mind & Life President Susan Bauer Wu, “From 1990 to this very moment, Cliff has worked in continuous service to Mind & Life. His heart, mind, wisdom, and brilliance are woven throughout the fabric of our work.”
Read our tribute to Dr. Saron and his nearly three decades of service to Mind & Life on our blog »
