In this episode of the Incubator, Dr. Paul Rozance discusses his research on fetal metabolism and growth regulation, emphasizing the role of insulin, glucagon, and placental function in development. He shares insights on how metabolic signals influence fetal growth and how complications like placental insufficiency impact long-term health. The conversation also highlights the challenges of translating research from animal models to clinical applications and the importance of collaboration in advancing neonatal science. Get your popcorn! There are some suspenseful stories #getyourpopcorn. #barker hypothesis #neuroendocrinology

Welcome to part one of a special two-part conversation featuring distinguished neonatologist and physician-scientist, Dr. Phyllis A. Dennery. In this “At the Bench” episode, hosts Drs. David McCulley and Misty Good, along with guest co-host Ben Courchia, delve into Dr. Dennery’s remarkable journey—spanning from her early fascination with molecular biology to her influential roles as Chair of Pediatrics at Brown University and Pediatrician-in-Chief at Rhode Island Hospital. Throughout the discussion, she reflects on the challenges of investigating bilirubin as a possible antioxidant, pioneering new insights into newborn lung injury, and unraveling the complexities of oxidative stress.

Dr. Dennery also opens up about building vibrant research programs at leading institutions, underscoring the value of mentorship, collaboration, and taking bold risks in pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries. She offers candid perspectives on balancing clinical demands with scientific innovation, and how she has navigated multiple leadership positions to foster deeper community engagement in pediatric health. This episode highlights not only her scientific achievements, but her passion for cultivating new talent and forging interdisciplinary partnerships. Don’t miss this engaging opening segment of our two-part series. Be sure to tune into The Incubator’s Sunday Interview for part two, where Dr. Dennery’s inspiring story continues!

In this episode of the Incubator, Betsy Crouch and David McCulley interview Dr. Wendy Chung, a leader in clinical genetics and child health research. They discuss her journey into genomics, the challenges faced in her career as a physician scientist, the importance of early mentorship, and her research interests, particularly in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). Dr. Chung shares insights on the complexities of genetic disorders and the need for innovative approaches in treatment and diagnosis. She discusses her experiences with newborn screening and the evolution of genetic screening for rare diseases, emphasizing the importance of advocacy for children's health research. The conversation highlights the impact of patient stories in research and concludes with personal insights into family activities and the importance of maintaining a balance between work and personal life.

In this episode of the Incubator, hosts Betsy Crouch and David McCulley welcome Dr. Judy Aschner, a prominent neonatologist and physician scientist. Dr. Aschner shares her journey building a research career and emphasizes the importance of mentorship, determination, and collaboration across disciplines. She discusses her personal experiences that shaped her research focus, particularly in pulmonary hypertension and environmental health in neonatology. 
The conversation highlights the challenges and triumphs of a career in medical research, underscoring the significance of intellectual curiosity and the impact of personal experiences on professional paths. 

Dr. Judy Aschner discusses her groundbreaking research on manganese levels in parenteral nutrition and its uptake into the brain of infants with prolonged exposure to TPN. She highlights the importance of understanding metal environmental exposures in the NICU and the collaborative efforts that led to successful grant writing for research projects. Dr. Aschner emphasizes the need for inclusivity in research, particularly for children with disabilities, and the significance of longitudinal studies in assessing long-term health outcomes. Additionally, she shares her passion for rock climbing as a means of maintaining mental and physical health amidst her demanding career.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Emin Maltepe shares his journey as a neonatologist and physician scientist, discussing the serendipitous events that shaped his research interests, particularly in hypoxia and drug development for neonatology. He reflects on the importance of mentorship, the challenges of drug development in pediatrics, and the MD-PhD pathway, providing insights into the complexities of balancing clinical practice with research. In this conversation, Emin Maltepe discusses his journey through the MD-PhD program and how it shaped his career in pediatric drug development. He highlights the significant challenges faced in developing therapeutics for pediatric populations, particularly preterm infants, and the lack of attention and funding in this area. Emin shares insights into his innovative approaches to drug and device development, including collaborations with global organizations and the importance of using appropriate animal models. He emphasizes the need for policy advocacy and business knowledge in the field of pediatric therapeutics, while also reflecting on the personal challenges and rewards of balancing family life with a demanding career.

In this episode of the Incubator "At the Bench," we speak with Dr. Eric Benner, a neonatologist and physician-scientist at Duke University. Dr. Benner shares his path from an MD-PhD student with a background in Parkinson’s research to a passionate neonatologist driven by personal experiences in the NICU after his twin sons were born prematurely. He describes how these experiences inspired him to dedicate his career to studying neurologic outcomes in preterm infants, focusing on neural stem cells and ways to improve outcomes for children like his son who has faced neurologic challenges. Dr. Benner discusses his pioneering research on oxysterols in breast milk, which activate neural pathways, particularly the sonic hedgehog pathway, to promote brain development in preterm infants. His journey includes navigating the patent process, founding a biotech company, and persisting despite initial skepticism from the pharmaceutical industry. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaboration, sharing practical advice for budding physician-scientists. Dr. Benner also highlights the need for palliative care in neonatology, inspired by his wife's work in palliative medicine, as an integral component of compassionate care in the NICU.

In this episode of the Incubator: At the bench, we talk with, Dr. Augusto Zani, a pediatric surgeon scientist who discusses his work on fetal lung regeneration and the use of stem cell derivatives and extracellular vesicles for diagnostics and therapy. He shares his journey from surgical training to becoming a surgeon scientist and the challenges he faced along the way. Dr. Zani also explains his transition from studying necrotizing enterocolitis to congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and the unanswered questions in lung hypoplasia related to CDH. He highlights the importance of understanding the mechanisms behind these conditions and the potential of extracellular vesicles in promoting lung growth and regeneration. Dr. Augusto Zani discusses his research on congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and the potential use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a therapy. He also discusses the role of inflammation in CDH and how EVs have both regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties. Dr. Zani also mentions the potential use of EVs in other pediatric surgical conditions, such as gastroschisis and spina bifida. He concludes by sharing his excitement about moving his lab to St. Louis Children's Hospital in the U.S.

Dr. Steve McElroy, a neonatologist and physician scientist, discusses his research on injury and repair mechanisms in the immature intestine, specifically focusing on necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation in premature infants. He shares his journey from initially not wanting to pursue science to becoming a physician scientist, and how mentorship played a crucial role in his career. Dr. McElroy also talks about his pioneering work on Paneth cells and the Paneth cell ablation NEC model. He highlights the importance of listening, asking questions, and being open to new research directions. Finally, he discusses the impact of his leadership role as a division chief on his research and mentorship activities. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, celebrating small victories, and persisting through challenges. Dr. McElroy also shares insights into his current research on chorioamnionitis and its impact on neonatal health. He highlights the need for creative think time and the value of understanding mechanisms in basic science. The conversation concludes with a discussion on building a supportive and fun lab environment.

In this episode of the Incubator "At the Bench," we talk with Dr. Jill Maron, a neonatologist and physician-scientist at Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and Brown University. Join us as we hear Dr. Maron share her journey from medical school to becoming a leading researcher in neonatology. She discusses how her early drive to provide the best patient care evolved into a commitment to advancing bedside care through research. Inspired by Dr. Diana Bianchi, Dr. Maron pursued a career in salivary diagnostics, focusing on non-invasive prenatal testing and feeding tolerance in premature infants. She highlights the challenges and successes in her research journey, emphasizing the importance of finding the right mentorship and building a research career that addresses significant clinical questions that provide answers to patient care conundrums in the neonatal intensive care unit. Dr. Maron also talks about her experiences with giving a TED talk and the impact it had on her career. We are also fortunate to learn about how Dr. Maron decided to take on her current leadership role, when to say “yes,” and step out of your comfort zone in your personal and professional life. We are excited to have you join us for an insightful look into the life and career journey of an inspiring neonatologist-scientist!

In this episode of the Incubator, At the bench, we talk with Dr. Krithika Lingappan who is a neonatologist and physician-scientist at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania. Join us as we hear what inspired Dr. Lingappan to build her cutting-edge research program investigating sex-specific differences in preterm lung disease. She explains that every cell in the lung shows sex bias, including epithelial cells, endothelial cells, and immune cells. She explores the role of the X and Y chromosomes in determining susceptibility to lung diseases and the ongoing research to understand the dosage of the X chromosome and genes on the Y chromosome. Dr. Lingappan also discusses the use of multi-omics approaches, such as single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, to study lung development and disease. We are fortunate to learn from her experiences including finding mentorship, building a research career that addresses a common clinical question, and establishing and then moving a research group. Dr. Lingappan also discusses her work promoting neonatology physician-scientist career development. We are thrilled to bring you this inside look into what it takes to become a neonatology physician-scientist!