The American Heart Association will award its 2026 Basic Research Prize to Jennifer S. Lawton, M.D., FAHA, a pioneering researcher in heart and brain protection during cardiac surgery. The award will be presented during the Association's Scientific Sessions 2026, taking place Nov. 6-9, 2026, in Chicago, with the recognition occurring at the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 8. 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, is now faculty at the University of Maryland.
Dr. Lawton is internationally recognized for her 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). Additionally, her research on neurologic injury during circulatory arrest has informed protective strategies used in cardiac surgery.
"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."
Among Dr. Lawton's most significant contributions is defining the mechanisms through which KATP channel activation protects the heart from ischemic injury. Her 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.
"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," said Dr. Lawton. "I look forward to continuing my journey of scientific discovery, collaboration and improving outcomes for patients through research."
Beyond her research, Dr. Lawton has dedicated her career to mentoring future surgeon-scientists, training dozens of medical students, residents, fellows, and postdoctoral researchers. She has authored more than 250 scientific manuscripts and held numerous leadership positions within national surgical organizations, editorial boards, and professional societies. She served as deputy editor for the Annals of Thoracic Surgery and on the editorial board of the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, JAMA Cardiology, and the European Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery.
Dr. Lawton has also held volunteer leadership roles with the Heart Association, including chair of the Council on Cardiovascular Surgery and Anesthesia from 2017 to 2019 and chair of the AHA/ACC/SCAI Guideline Writing Committee for Coronary Artery Revascularization from 2019 to 2021. She chaired the Heart Association's Basic Science Surgery Study Section from 2013 to 2015.
This recognition underscores the critical importance of translational research in improving outcomes for cardiac surgery patients. Dr. Lawton's work has not only advanced scientific understanding but has also led to potential new therapies that could reduce complications and save lives. For more information about the American Heart Association, visit heart.org. Additional details about the award can be found in the original release.
