IONS is celebrating a groundbreaking achievement in the field of psychiatry and spirituality. Our esteemed colleague, Dr. Alexander Moreira-Almeida, has been awarded the 2025 Oskar Pfister Award by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). This prestigious award recognizes his exceptional contributions to the scientific study of spiritual experiences and their profound implications for our understanding of consciousness and the survival of consciousness beyond bodily death.
A Milestone for Consciousness Research
Dr. Moreira-Almeida will deliver the Oskar Pfister Award Lecture on May 17, 2025, at the APA Annual Meeting in Los Angeles. His lecture, “Scientific Exploration of the Nature of Spiritual Experiences: A Key Road to Advance the Understanding of the Mind and Its Relationship to the Brain,” will directly address the implications of anomalous and spiritual experiences for the concept of an irreducible mind—one that may extend beyond the physical brain and even survive bodily death.
This recognition marks a pivotal moment in the integration of spirituality and psychiatry within mainstream science. The Oskar Pfister Award reflects the APA’s increasing openness to the study of consciousness beyond materialist paradigms.
Bridging Science and Spirituality
As the Director of the Research Center in Spirituality and Health (NUPES) at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora in Brazil, Dr. Moreira-Almeida has long been at the forefront of this exploration, bridging rigorous scientific inquiry with deep philosophical and spiritual questions about the nature of human existence. His work explores how spiritual experiences, near-death phenomena, and mediumship relate to the survival of consciousness.
Bringing Survival of Consciousness into Mainstream Science
His work, along with that of many pioneering scientists—including those at IONS—is bringing survival of consciousness research to the forefront of mainstream scientific discourse. This shift is critical for fostering a global transformation in how we perceive the mind, consciousness, and our place in the universe. By advancing these discussions in psychiatry, we take another step toward reshaping worldviews and promoting a deeper understanding of human potential.
Learn More and Join the Movement
We invite you to join us in celebrating this remarkable achievement. Learn more about the Oskar Pfister Award and explore details about Dr. Moreira-Almeida’s lecture here.
IONS remains committed to supporting the expansion of consciousness research and celebrating those who push the boundaries of scientific discovery. Congratulations, Alexander, on this well-deserved honor!
