Dr. Skolnick has been widely recognized for foundational studies conducted at the NIH on the pharmacology and physiology of ligand-gated ion channels. These studies led to the demonstration that NMDA antagonists (like ketamine) have antidepressant properties.

At DOV Pharmaceuticals, Skolnick pioneered the concept of ‘triple uptake inhibitors’ and led the first clinical studies with these molecules to treat neuropsychiatric disorders. Centanafadine, a triple uptake inhibitor discovered at DOV, was approved in 2026 for the treatment of ADHD. At NIDA, Skolnick led the development of nasal naloxone (Narcan Nasal Spray) for the treatment of opioid overdose. At Opiant, he led the development of nasal nalmefene (OPVEE, approved in 2023).

Dr. Skolnick is a Fellow of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the American Society of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics. He has received honors and awards including an Anna Monika Prize, the Experimental Therapeutics Prize from the American Society of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology. He has twice been awarded the Doctor of Science, honoris causa. His body of work has been cited more than 38,000 times (h-index 102).