Dr. Benzer was a two time Gairdner International Award winner. First in 1964 he received the award "in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the knowledge of genetics and molecular biology, and in particular for his elucidation of the fine structure of genes." Then in 2004 Dr. Benzer was again recognized "for pioneering discoveries that both founded and greatly advanced an entire field of neurogenetics, thereby transforming our understanding of the brain and its mechanisms."