Abstract
The Wolf Creek Conference is an integral event showcasing innovative resuscitation research from academia and industry. The Wolf Creek XVIII took place in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on June 18-21, 2025 and it was hosted by the Max Harry Weil Institute of Critical Care Research and Innovation. For the second time, Wolf Creek XVIII hosted the Wolf Creek Innovator in Cardiac Arrest and Resuscitation Science Award, which recognizes early-career investigators who are challenging current paradigms in resuscitation science. Among a field of applicants, a panel of international experts chose the finalists for the competition. Finalists included Filippo Annoni from Erasme Hospital, Kei Hayashida from Northwell Health, Jacob Hutton from University of British Columbia, Matthew Kirschen from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, and Alexis Steinberg from University of Pittsburgh. The finalists each presented a summary of their research, followed by questions from the panel and audience. As determined by electronic audience vote, Dr. Alexis Steinberg was designated as the recipient of the 2025 Wolf Creek Innovator Award and a $10,000 cash prize. The manuscript aims to outline each of the early career innovator award finalists' work in further detail.