FY26 Faculty Spotlight: Q&A with Jennifer M. Lynch, MD, PhD

By Troy Scott

Editor’s Note: Meet the dedicated and distinctive faculty who are discovering and developing pediatric life-changing solutions at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, in our monthly Faculty Spotlight Q&A series. This year, we’re diving into how our faculty have navigated funding challenges throughout their careers. We start the series with Jennifer M. Lynch, MD, PhD, a faculty member in the Division of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology whose research focuses on biomedical optics. Stay tuned for more from our Faculty Spotlight series throughout the year. 

Can you tell us a little about your research specialty?

My PhD is in physics, specifically biomedical optics — the study of how light travels through biological tissue. I use advanced optical spectroscopy techniques to measure oxygen delivery and utilization in the brain. My research focuses on applying these tools in neonates with critical congenital heart disease, a patient population that faces a high risk for brain injury. By identifying periods of greatest risk, we aim to improve how we care for these infants and protect their developing brains. 

Why did you choose to focus on that specialty?

I began this work during graduate school at Penn, when I collaborated with Dr. Susan Nicolson, a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist at CHOP. That experience inspired me to pursue medical school and specialized training, allowing me to combine my background in physics with clinical practice. Ultimately, I wanted to bring these technologies directly to the bedside as a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist.

Describe a current or recent research project that you are excited about.

I am currently leading a project that uses advanced neuromonitoring tools in the operating room for newborns undergoing cardiac surgery. The goal is to understand better how to optimize care during surgery to protect the brain and improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.

What are the long-term research questions that you hope to answer?

My long-term goal is to make individualized neuroprotection possible — to provide clinicians with the tools they need to tailor care in real time and reduce the risk of brain injury for children with heart disease.

Many investigators face research funding challenges at some point in their careers. How have you overcome those challenges?

Persistence has been key. I apply broadly across different funding mechanisms and remain committed to pushing my work forward, even when setbacks happen. Each application is also an opportunity to refine the science and strengthen the story. 

What advice would you give other investigators going through this?

Don’t give up. Every “no” provides valuable feedback that can help shape the next proposal into a stronger one. Persistence, creativity, and resilience are just as important as the science itself when it comes to sustaining a research career.