Jennifer S. Lawton, M.D., FAHA, a cardiac surgeon and translational researcher whose work has illuminated how to protect the heart and brain during cardiac surgery, will receive the American Heart Association's 2026 Basic Research Prize at the Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 in Chicago. The award, presented during the Presidential Session on Nov. 8, recognizes her decades of research into myocardial protection and neuroprotection, which has moved basic science discoveries into first-in-human trials and could ultimately reduce injury for patients undergoing complex cardiac operations.
Lawton, formerly the Richard B. Darnall Professor of Surgery and chief of the division of cardiac surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, is now on the faculty at the University of Maryland. Her laboratory has advanced the understanding of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and the cardioprotective effects of diazoxide, helping uncover novel mechanisms that reduce myocardial injury during ischemia and reperfusion. That work led to the first FDA-regulated, first-in-human Phase I Safety and Feasibility Trial of Cardioplegia with Diazoxide (CPG-DZX).
The significance of this award lies in what it signals about the growing emphasis on translating basic cardiovascular science into therapies that directly improve patient care. Cardiac surgery, particularly when it involves circulatory arrest, carries substantial risks of heart and brain injury. Lawton's research investigating neurologic injury during circulatory arrest has advanced knowledge of protective strategies that are utilized to reduce injury during surgery. By defining how KATP channel activation protects the heart from ischemic injury, her work has provided a mechanistic foundation for new interventions that could one day become standard practice.
Manesh R. Patel, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association's 2026-2027 volunteer president, praised Lawton's contributions. "Congratulations to Dr. Jennifer Lawton, whose groundbreaking research has advanced the understanding of myocardial protection and transformed the translation of basic cardiovascular science into therapies that improve patient care," said Patel, who is the Richard S. Stack, M.D. Distinguished Professor of Medicine, chief of the division of cardiology and vice president of heart and vascular services at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. "She is an innovative scientist, accomplished surgeon and exceptional leader whose contributions have advanced cardiovascular research and inspire the next generation of physician-scientists."
Lawton's laboratory has received sustained funding from the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association and the Thoracic Surgery Foundation. More recently, her research has expanded into brain protection during hypothermic circulatory arrest while continuing to advance innovative therapies for patients undergoing complex cardiac operations. Her work has been published in more than 250 scientific manuscripts, and she has held numerous leadership positions within national surgical organizations, editorial boards and professional societies.
Beyond her research, Lawton has dedicated her career to mentoring future surgeon-scientists. She has trained dozens of medical students, residents, fellows and postdoctoral researchers, many of whom now serve as academic leaders, cardiac surgeons and physician-scientists around the world. She has also held numerous volunteer leadership roles with the Heart Association, including serving as chair of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia from 2017 to 2019 and as chair of the AHA/ACC/SCAI Guideline Writing Committee for Coronary Artery Revascularization from 2019 to 2021.
"It is an incredible honor to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association, an organization that has supported numerous projects throughout my career and is a champion supporter of cardiovascular research across the spectrum," Lawton said. "I look forward to continuing my journey of scientific discovery, collaboration and improving outcomes for patients through research."
The award underscores the critical role of basic research in driving clinical progress. As the American Heart Association notes, Scientific Sessions is a premier global exchange of the latest scientific advancements, research and evidence-based clinical practice updates in cardiovascular science. Lawton's recognition highlights how fundamental discoveries about ion channels and cellular protection can lead to tangible innovations in the operating room, offering hope for safer surgeries and better outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease. Additional resources, including multimedia, are available on the right column of the release link. For more news at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2026, follow the organization on X @HeartNews, #ScientificSessions26.
