Janessa Law, MD

Dr. Janessa Law is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology at the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital. Her research centers on neonatal brain injury and neurodevelopmental outcomes, with a particular focus on extremely preterm infants and those with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE). She serves as Co-Principal Investigator on two active NIH R01-funded studies investigating neuroprotective therapies using in vitro and in vivo ferret models. One study explores combinatorial strategies for preterm brain injury, while the other evaluates the repurposing of azithromycin for neuroprotection. Dr. Law is also a co-investigator on a pediatric pilot study assessing biochemical markers of energy metabolism in infants undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. Her prior research includes an Early Career Award from the Thrasher Research Foundation to evaluate human neural stem cell therapy in HIE. She has contributed to several publications derived from the PENUT Trial, including analyses of intracranial hemorrhage, neuroimaging, and treatment-related neurodevelopmental outcomes. She has also published on genetic influences in neonatal encephalopathy and perinatal HIE.  In addition to her research, Dr. Law holds multiple leadership roles across clinical and academic settings. She is Director of the Brain Research Advancement in Neonatology (BRAIN) Team at the University of Washington and serves on the CHNC HIE Focus Group. Her clinical responsibilities include work in the Level IV NICU at Seattle Children’s Hospital and as Associate Medical Director and leader of the Extremely Preterm Program at Valley Medical Center. Dr. Law has also contributed to the development and implementation of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) within the Division of Neonatology, serving as POCUS Resource Faculty and co-leading hands-on workshops at local and national levels. Her recent scholarly work has included feasibility studies on cranial POCUS and quality improvement initiatives related to early detection of intracranial hemorrhage. These activities reflect her growing expertise in neonatal neurocritical care and her contributions to advancing POCUS education and practice.