Jennifer S. Lawton, M.D., FAHA, a pioneering researcher in heart and brain protection during cardiac surgery, will receive the American Heart Association’s 2026 Basic Research Prize at the organization’s annual Scientific Sessions in Chicago, held Nov. 6-9, 2026. She will be honored during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 8.
The award recognizes Lawton’s decades of translational research focused on myocardial protection and neuroprotection during cardiac surgery. 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. Her work includes the first FDA-regulated, first-in-human Phase I Safety and Feasibility Trial of Cardioplegia with Diazoxide (CPG-DZX).
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,” Patel said. “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 research has also expanded into brain protection during hypothermic circulatory arrest, investigating neurologic injury and protective strategies used during complex cardiac operations. Her laboratory has received sustained funding from the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, and the Thoracic Surgery Foundation.
“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.”
Beyond her research, Lawton has mentored dozens of medical students, residents, fellows, and postdoctoral researchers. She has authored more than 250 scientific manuscripts and held leadership roles in national surgical organizations, editorial boards, and professional societies, including serving as chair of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia from 2017 to 2019 and chairing the AHA/ACC/SCAI Guideline Writing Committee for Coronary Artery Revascularization from 2019 to 2021.
Formerly the Richard B. Darnall Professor of Surgery and chief of the division of cardiac surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Lawton is now faculty at the University of Maryland. She earned her medical degree from Hahnemann University and completed fellowships at the Medical College of Virginia and Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
The recognition underscores the importance of bridging basic science and clinical care to reduce complications from cardiac surgery, a field where myocardial and neurologic injury remain significant risks. The American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions is a premier global exchange of cardiovascular science, and Lawton’s award highlights the critical role of translational research in advancing patient outcomes. For more information, visit heart.org or stroke.org.
