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Celebrating Breakthroughs in Maternal and Infant Health: Meet the 2026 Basil O'Connor Award Winners

On October 27, 2026, the March of Dimes announced the esteemed winners of the 2026 Basil O'Connor Starter Scholar Research Awards. This annual recognition celebrates early-career scientists making remarkable strides in the field of maternal and infant health. The awardees for this year, each granted $150,000, are Dr. Helen Vuong from the University of Minnesota and Dr. Laurie Eldredge from the University of Washington.

Honoring Emerging Scientists

Dr. Emre Seli, Chief Scientific Advisor at March of Dimes, praised the Basil O'Connor awards for their long-standing tradition of highlighting exceptional researchers. Recipients often go on to achieve substantial accomplishments, including pivotal discoveries, leadership roles in governmental health agencies, and even Nobel Prize accolades. Thus, the recognition of Dr. Vuong and Dr. Eldredge continues this legacy of excellence aimed at tackling pressing challenges in maternal and infant wellbeing.

Dr. Helen Vuong's Groundbreaking Research

Dr. Vuong’s groundbreaking work explores the intricate relationship between the maternal gut microbiome and fetal brain development. Her research focuses on how maternal iron, an essential micronutrient often lacking in a staggering 50% of pregnant women around the globe, influences the fetal brain. Understanding how maternal gut health affects the availability of iron is critical, as iron deficiency can impact fetal development negatively.

Building on her prior findings, which demonstrated that a healthy maternal gut microbiome supports fetal brain growth via specific metabolites, Dr. Vuong aims to investigate whether a deficiency in iron alters gut microbiome composition, impacting the bioavailability of beneficial metabolites required for fetal development. Furthermore, her project will assess whether the maternal gut microbiome can mitigate the adverse effects induced by low maternal iron levels. This innovative research might help elucidate crucial nutrient transfer pathways essential for fetal brain health.

Dr. Laurie Eldredge's Investigative Focus

Meanwhile, Dr. Eldredge’s work addresses bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a serious respiratory condition prevalent among preterm infants that may lead to chronic lung diseases later in life. Her grant will investigate the potential of a protein called vimentin as a predictive biomarker for severe BPD and its potential therapeutic implications.

Through her previous research, Dr. Eldredge noted abnormal patterns of vimentin activity in the epithelial cells lining the airways of infants diagnosed with severe BPD. This study aims to explore the correlation between vimentin levels and the progression of BPD-related airway diseases over time. Understanding the role of vimentin could revolutionize the development of targeted treatments to improve predictions and intervene in disease progression, offering hope for better outcomes for infants affected by this condition.

A Call to Action for Maternal and Infant Health

Dr. Seli expressed optimism about the contributions of Dr. Vuong and Dr. Eldredge, declaring that their work is not only original and vital but also holds transformative potential for mothers and infants facing health challenges today. The Basil O'Connor Awards exemplify the commitment of March of Dimes to combat the maternal and infant health crisis through dedicated funding for early-career researchers who are paving the way for future scientific breakthroughs.

As March of Dimes continues its mission to ensure healthy starts for every family, the 2026 Basil O'Connor Award winners represent the promising future of maternal and infant health research. To learn more about the award program and its impact, visit March of Dimes.