 In 2004, Ramirez received the Director's Award for Distinguished Teaching Scholars from the National Science Foundation in recognition of his work in education and research.In 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring to Ramirez in recognition of his national leadership in neuroscience education.In particular, Ramirez was recognized for co-founding the Faculty for Undergraduate Neuroscience (FUN) in 1991 and serving three years as its first president.