In this episode of At the Bench, hosts Misty Good and Betsy Crouch welcome Dr. Bunmi Olaloye, a neonatologist and physician scientist at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Olaloye shares her path from an early interest in engineering to focusing on necrotizing enterocolitis and spontaneous intestinal perforation in preterm infants. She discusses her research into early life immune development using mass cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing, revealing distinct immune signatures that could shape future treatments. 

The conversation also explores the challenges of building an independent research career, the importance of mentorship and team science, and the limitations of current animal models. Dr. Olaloye highlights the potential of organoid systems for studying human-specific questions and the protective role of breast milk in modulating immune responses in NEC. Her story offers both scientific insight and genuine inspiration for anyone navigating the path from clinical training to independent research.