image: The American Pediatric Society (APS) and the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) honor Dr. Wendy K. Chung with the 2026 Mary Ellen Avery Neonatal Research Award.
Credit: Wendy Chung, MD
HOUSTON, October 14, 2025 – The American Pediatric Society (APS) and the Society for Pediatric Research (SPR) are pleased to announce Wendy K. Chung, MD, PhD, as the 2026 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. Wendy Chung, MD, PhD, is the Mary Ellen Avery Professor of Pediatrics, Chief of Pediatrics, and Pediatrician-in-Chief at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. An internationally recognized leader in human genetics and genomics, she has advanced the understanding of congenital anomalies and transformed newborn screening, building on Dr. Avery’s pioneering legacy. Dr. Chung has discovered more than 60 genes for human disease—five bearing her name—and has led the integration of these discoveries into clinical practice through genetic testing, screening, and novel therapeutics. Her contributions have earned her some of the highest honors in medicine, including the Medal for Distinguished Contributions in Biomedical Science from the New York Academy of Medicine, the Rare Impact Award from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and the Health Equity Award from Global Genes. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine.
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 Mary Ellen Avery Neonatal Research Award is designed to honor an investigator who has made outstanding contributions to neonatal health. It is hard to imagine a more deserving recipient than Dr. Wendy Chung. Dr. Chung embodies the same values that represent the legacy of Dr. Avery. She has focused her research on the genetics of common neonatal disorders and, in particular, newborn screening. Dr. Chung’s research has had a major impact on clinical care and has improved health outcomes. She has been a leader in the use of whole exome and whole genome sequencing in the clinical care setting. Dr. Chung has served on the National Academy of Medicine committee to evaluate the use of genetic testing in clinical practice. Her work has improved care for children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, congenital heart disease, and esophageal atresia. The American Pediatric Society is delighted to celebrate Dr. Chung’s many outstanding accomplishments as the recipient of the 2026 Mary Ellen Avery Award.”
— Dr. Stephen Daniels, President, American Pediatric Society
“The Society for Pediatric Research is honored to present the 2026 Mary Ellen Avery Award to Dr. Wendy K. Chung,” said Eric D. Austin, MD, MSc, President of the Society for Pediatric Research. “Dr. Chung is an internationally recognized leader in human genetics, including the genomics of congenital anomalies and innovative approaches to newborn screening, areas with significant impact on neonatology. She is an exemplary academic physician scientist whose research spans basic, translational, and clinical research while forging close partnerships with the public to improve child health. Dr. Chung exemplifies science-driven discovery for the immediate benefit of children with an extraordinary research productivity of over 800 peer reviewed publications and the successful completion of countless funded projects. She has identified over 60 novel genetic conditions and characterized their clinical phenotypes for research and clinical care. We are grateful for Dr. Chung’s contributions and celebrate her relentless pursuit of new knowledge.”
Dr. Chung received her PhD in human genetics from The Rockefeller University, her MD from Cornell University Medical College, and completed her fellowship in medical genetics at Columbia University. Dr. Chung has authored over 750 peer-reviewed publications in top journals including NEJM, JAMA, Nature, and Science, and has sustained continuous NIH funding for more than a decade. She is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and serves as editor of Fetal and Neonatal Physiology and Associate Editor of Rudolph’s Pediatrics.
For more information about Dr. Chung 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