image: The American Pediatric Society (APS) and the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) are pleased to announce Cynthia F. Bearer, MD, PhD, as the 2025 Mary Ellen Avery Neonatal Research Award recipient.
Credit: APS
October 15, 2024 – The American Pediatric Society (APS) and the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) are pleased to announce Cynthia F. Bearer, MD, PhD, as the 2025 Mary Ellen Avery Neonatal Research Award recipient. This award honors a pediatric investigator who has made important contributions to neonatal health through basic or translational research.
Dr. Bearer is the William & Lois Briggs Chair of Neonatology and Chief, Division of Neonatology, Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics & Neurosciences at Case Western Reserve University. She has made significant contributions to neonatal health through basic and translational research for multiple conditions impacting the developing brain, such as fetal alcohol syndrome, hyperbilirubinemia, and toxic environmental exposures. Of her many original laboratory contributions, Dr. Bearer developed critical insights into the role of lipid structures in neurodevelopment and their vulnerability to lipophilic neurotoxicants. Her work also includes advocating for the protection of newborns from adverse environmental exposures by linking her basic science with public health strategies, which includes working with the EPA, the National Institutes of Health, the National Academy of Medicine, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Children’s Environmental Health Network, and other such organizations.
In 2013, the APS and SPR established and endowed the Mary Ellen Avery Award. This award honors Dr. Avery’s outstanding lifetime achievements and seminal contributions to neonatal health through her discovery of respiratory distress syndrome, research, academic leadership, and outstanding service to pediatrics and neonatology.
“The American Pediatric Society is delighted to recognize Dr. Bearer as the recipient of the 2025 Mary Ellen Avery Award for her outstanding contributions to research and education in the field of neonatal medicine,” said Clifford W. Bogue, MD, President of the American Pediatric Society. “Dr. Bearer is a highly innovative pediatric investigator with a sustained record of excellence in neonatal and pediatric environmental health research. She has made important contributions to neonatal health through basic and translational research across a remarkable spectrum of conditions impacting the developing brain: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, hyperbilirubinemia, as well as heavy metal and toxic environmental exposures. Her scientific contributions have culminated in the emergence of pediatric and fetal environmental health as a distinct discipline in pediatric and neonatal care”.
“The Society for Pediatric Research is honored to present the 2025 Mary Ellen Avery Award to Dr. Cynthia F. Bearer,” said Brenda Poindexter, MD, President of the Society for Pediatric Research. “Dr. Bearer has made a tremendous impact as a clinician scientist with groundbreaking research and education on fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, lipid rafts, and brain development in preterm babies all while driving towards the goal of promoting child health. Her work establishing fatty acid ethyl esters as a biomarker for both in utero exposure to ethanol, and ethanol impact on neurocognitive outcomes led to securing a patent for this distinct technology. In addition to her extensive contributions to the field of neonatal health through her research, Dr. Bearer has led the editorial efforts of the premier industry journal Pediatric Research, inspiring clinician scientists at all levels of their careers. We are grateful for her influence in the field and celebrate her efforts to elevate scientific rigor.”
Dr. Bearer received her PhD from Case Western University, her MD from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Neonatology at Harvard Medical School and Washington University School of Medicine. Dr. Bearer has over 140 peer-reviewed publications with numerous reviews, chapters, editorials, and commentaries. Over the years, she has received funding from the NIH, EPA, and other federal and private sources.
For more information about Dr. Bearer and the Mary Ellen Avery Award, please visit the APS website.
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About the American Pediatric Society
The American Pediatric Society (APS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1888 as the first pediatric society in North America. The mission of the APS is to engage distinguished child health leaders representing the full diversity within the field to shape the future of academic pediatrics. The 1,800 plus members of APS are recognized leaders of extraordinary achievement who work together to shape the future of academic pediatrics. For more information, please visit aps1888.org, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
About the Society for Pediatric Research
The Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) encourages and supports pediatric research endeavors by creating a network of diverse researchers to improve child health. Collaboration among SPR members creates meaningful progress for the future of children’s health. For more information, please visit www.societyforpediatricresearch.org, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Media Contacts:
Lisa Thompson
Association Director
American Pediatric Society
(346) 258-6247
lthompson@aps1888.org
Liz Giannini
Association Director
Society for Pediatric Research
(346) 258-6257
liz.giannini@societyforpediatricresearch.org