The American Heart Association will award its 2026 Basic Research Prize to Dr. Jennifer S. Lawton, a cardiac surgeon and researcher whose work has fundamentally changed how the heart and brain are protected during cardiac surgery. The recognition, to be presented during the Association's Scientific Sessions 2026 in Chicago, highlights research that has moved from the laboratory into first-in-human trials, offering new ways to reduce injury during some of the most complex operations.
Dr. Lawton, formerly the Richard B. Darnall Professor of Surgery and chief of the division of cardiac surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and now faculty at the University of Maryland, is internationally recognized for her translational research on myocardial protection and neuroprotection. Her laboratory has advanced the understanding of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels and the cardioprotective effects of diazoxide, uncovering mechanisms that reduce myocardial injury during ischemia and reperfusion. This work led to the first FDA-regulated, first-in-human Phase I Safety and Feasibility Trial of Cardioplegia with Diazoxide (CPG-DZX), a milestone that could translate directly into safer heart surgery.
The implications extend beyond the operating room. By defining how KATP channel activation protects the heart, Dr. Lawton's research offers a mechanistic roadmap for developing therapies that limit ischemic damage, a leading cause of complications after cardiac procedures. Her more recent investigations into brain protection during hypothermic circulatory arrest address a critical unmet need: protecting the brain when circulation must be stopped during surgery. These strategies could reduce neurological injury and improve long-term cognitive outcomes for patients undergoing complex aortic or congenital heart operations.
"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 Manesh R. Patel, M.D., FAHA, the American Heart Association's 2026-2027 volunteer president. "She is an innovative scientist, accomplished surgeon and exceptional leader whose contributions have advanced cardiovascular research and inspire the next generation of physician-scientists."
Dr. Lawton's influence reaches well beyond her own laboratory. She has authored more than 250 scientific manuscripts and trained dozens of medical students, residents, fellows and postdoctoral researchers who now serve as academic leaders and physician-scientists worldwide. Her sustained funding from the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association and the Thoracic Surgery Foundation underscores the rigor and promise of her work. She has also held key volunteer leadership roles, including chairing the AHA/ACC/SCAI Guideline Writing Committee for Coronary Artery Revascularization from 2019 to 2021, which shapes clinical practice nationwide.
The award will be presented during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Scientific Sessions 2026, a premier global exchange of cardiovascular science. Additional multimedia is available on the right column of the release link. For more information about the American Heart Association, visit heart.org and stroke.org.
Dr. Lawton's recognition signals the growing importance of translational research that bridges basic science and patient care. As cardiac surgery becomes increasingly complex, therapies that protect both the heart and brain are essential to reducing morbidity and improving survival. Her work not only addresses immediate clinical challenges but also lays the foundation for future innovations that could benefit millions of patients worldwide.
