Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Critical Care; Assistant Professor of Bioengineering
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Meet Jennifer Lynch, an assistant professor of anesthesiology and bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Lynch divides her time between clinical work as a pediatric cardiac anesthesiologist and research in the field of biomedical optics. She focuses on developing and implementing novel optical neuromonitoring devices to predict the risk of neurologic injury in children with cardiac diseases. One of her greatest professional achievements has been translating these technologies into clinical studies, contributing to a better understanding of when infants with heart disease are at risk for brain injury.

Lynch’s interest in physics and research began during her time at Emory. Initially planning to study chemistry, she shifted her focus to physics after an introductory course her sophomore year. She spent more than two years working in a lab, where she discovered her passion for research. Emory’s strong support for undergraduate research was instrumental in shaping her path toward an academic career.

Lynch enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, Alex, their 6-year-old daughter Charlotte, and their 4-year-old son Oliver. She finds fulfillment in her combined role as both a clinician and a researcher, allowing her to see the direct results of her work in the day-to-day care of sick children while also contributing to long-term impact through her research. She says Emory provided her with a strong foundation in physics and a love for research that continues to drive her career today.