The 2026 Rising Stars
Celebrating the next generation of leaders in intensive care
Francesca Sperotto
Dr Francesca Sperotto, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, received the ESPNIC Rising Star Award 2026 in recognition of her innovative contributions to paediatric cardiac critical care and advanced cardiac imaging.
Her research has focused on improving outcomes for children with congenital and acquired heart disease through the integration of critical care, imaging and translational research. Through her scientific achievements and international engagement, she represents a new generation of leaders advancing paediatric intensive care.
Emma Alexander
Dr Emma Alexander, NIHR Doctoral Fellow at Imperial College London and academic paediatric registrar, received the ESPNIC Rising Star Award 2026 in recognition of her contributions to paediatric critical care research and healthcare improvement.
Her work focuses on the implementation of evidence into clinical practice, as well as critical care hepatology and nephrology. Through research, international collaboration and educational initiatives, she is helping shape the future of paediatric intensive care across Europe.
