ASCI / Young Physician-Scientist Awards, 2021

Erik A. Jensen, MD, MSCE, is an academic neonatologist and clinical investigator. The overall goal of his research is to improve the long-term respiratory health of infants born very preterm (gestational age <32 weeks). To achieve this goal, he conducts research focused in 3 areas: (1) Clinical and translational studies that aim to develop evidence-based strategies to prevent and treat bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) – the most consequential complication of preterm birth; (2) novel characterization of disease severity and phenotypes in BPD; and (3) application of health services research techniques to investigate the association between hospital-level factors and neonatal morbidity and mortality. With collaborators from the NICHD Neonatal Research Network, Dr. Jensen developed the first evidence-based, severity graded diagnostic criteria for BPD. This new disease definition will serve as a key outcome for neonatal clinical care and research. Through interventional and observational studies, Dr. Jensen has improved our understanding of the safety and efficacy of several drug therapies used to prevent and treat BPD. His trial experience in infants with established BPD includes leading a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial of aerosolized albuterol in ventilator dependent very preterm infants and a novel series of N-of-1 randomized trials comparing cardiorespiratory stability during periods of gastric and transpyloric feedings. In the translational space, Dr. Jensen has formed strong collaborations to investigate the role of the airway microbiome, neonatal immune function, and lung inflammation in the development of infant lung disease and other serious neonatal morbidities. His research is funded by the NIH (NHLBI, NICHD), the American Lung Association, and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.