Gerald Zamponi is one of the world’s leading researchers on the molecular neurophysiology of ion channels. His seminal research has resulted in numerous contributions to both the basic and biomedical fields. He has described the underlying mechanisms of calcium channel inactivation, permeation and modulation by a variety of intracellular signaling molecules and pathways. His work has also defined the physiological consequences of genetic defects associated with calcium channel dysfunction in generalized epilepsies and congenital night blindness. The work has also defined novel molecular mechanisms responsible for signaling complexes crucial to pain processing and relevant to human neuropathic pain conditions.