Advertise on podcast: The Incubator At The Bench

In this episode, Misty and Betsy sit down with Dr. Brian Kalish, a neonatologist-neuroscientist at Boston Children's Hospital, for a wide-ranging conversation on building a career at the intersection of fetal and neonatal brain injury research. Brian traces his path from public health and pediatric surgery to neuroscience, describes what "technical courage" means in the lab, and shares the story behind his move to SickKids Toronto and back. He discusses his lab's work on Down syndrome neurobiology, a newly funded multi-center trial targeting transposable element activation, and an ambitious hydrogen gas trial for hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy using an Exception from Informed Consent framework. A conversation about mentorship, global health, and staying inspired through the hard parts of physician-scientist training.

What happens when a mom's immune system loses its tolerance for pregnancy, and a physician-scientist builds an entire lab, and career, around figuring out why? On this episode of At the Bench, hosts Ben Fensterheim and David McCulley sit down with Dr. Jackie Lajiness, a neonatologist and physician-scientist at Indiana University. Dr. Lajiness traces her path from an undergraduate laser spectroscopy lab to an MD-PhD, and shares her current research using a mouse model of regulatory T-cell (Treg) depletion to study immune-mediated preterm birth. She explores how maternal immune tolerance shapes the in utero environment and the developing neonatal immune system, with a focus on IL-9 and STAT3 signaling and the uniquely rule-breaking immunology of the placenta. The conversation also turns to mentorship and community, including the Pediatric Scientist Development Program, and closes with what keeps Dr. Lajiness grounded outside the lab: rock climbing with her family.

What happens when a scientist and a clinician scientist build a lab together, and an entire career, around the same disease? On this episode of At the Bench, Misty Good and Ben Fensterheim sit down with Professors Claudia and Marcel Nold, a husband and wife team running their lab at Monash University and the Hudson Institute. They trace their path from Charles Dinarello's cytokine lab in Denver to Melbourne, where they built a research program on IL-1 biology in bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis. They discuss the long road from preclinical models to their first anakinra clinical trial, the realities of running a dual career lab, and what it takes to keep going when experiments do not go your way.

The neonatal kidney is one of the most understudied organs in our field — and yet the drugs we use every day in the NICU may be affecting it in ways we are only beginning to understand. In this episode of At the Bench, Dr. Misty Good and Dr. Betsy Crouch sit down with Dr. Pamela Good, neonatologist and physician scientist at Columbia University, to discuss her groundbreaking research on nephron development, low nephron endowment, and acute kidney injury (AKI) in preterm infants. From building a first-of-its-kind mouse model to rethinking how we use gentamicin, this conversation will change how you think about the tiniest kidneys in your NICU.

In this episode of At the Bench, Misty Good and David McCulley interview Dr. Christopher Thom, a neonatologist and leader blood lineage development. Dr. Thom discusses his training in hematology research and what inspired him to build an outstanding research program studying platelet biology and how his research is being translated to change transfusion care for patients. The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration in neonatology physician-scientist driven research.

What is actually happening inside the uterus during a threatened pregnancy — and does the timing of infection change everything? In this episode of At the Bench, hosts Ben Fensterheim and Betsy Crouch sit down with Dr. Kristen Noble, assistant professor at Indiana University, to explore her work building a transcriptomic and proteomic atlas of intrauterine immune responses across gestation. Dr. Noble shares how clinical uncertainty at the bedside — that impossible question of deliver now or wait — drove her into the lab. She also opens up about navigating doubt early in training, finding the right mentors, and what it looks like to rebuild a research program from scratch at a new institution.

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.

In this episode of the Incubator podcast, hosts David McCulley and Betsy Crouch engage with Dr. Tippi MacKenzie, a leading figure in fetal surgery and stem cell research. The conversation explores Dr. MacKenzie's journey from clinician to scientist, the challenges and innovations in fetal surgery, and the future of prenatal therapies. They discuss the importance of collaboration in research, the role of clinical trials, and the impact of genetic therapies on treating fetal conditions. The episode highlights the intersection of clinical practice and research, emphasizing the need for responsible advancements in medical science.

In this episode of At the Bench, Misty Good and David McCulley interview Dr. Bernard Thébaud, a neonatologist and leader in lung and pulmonary vascular developmental biology and regenerative medicine. The conversation explores Dr. Thebaud’s journey into research, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges of translating research into clinical practice. They discuss the significance of recognizing opportunities, navigating critical feedback, and the promising mechanisms in regenerative medicine that could enhance lung repair in preterm infants. Dr. Thébaud discusses the innovative use of mesenchymal stromal cells in lung therapy for neonatal patients. He shares insights on the unexpected findings from his research, the potential of umbilical cord-derived cells, and the future of neonatal lung regenerative medicine. The conversation also touches on the importance of mentorship, resilience in research, and fostering a positive lab environment.

In this episode of At the Bench, Betsy Crouch and David McCulley engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Eleanor Molloy, a neonatologist and physician scientist. They explore Eleanor's journey in neonatology, the importance of inflammation in neonatal health, and the challenges and rewards of conducting research in this field. The discussion also highlights the significance of collaboration, both within research teams and with parents, to enhance clinical practice and improve outcomes for neonates. Eleanor shares insights on the role of biomarkers, the impact of sex differences in research, and the necessity of international collaboration in pediatric research. The episode concludes with reflections on the balance between clinical work and research, the importance of community in academia, and the need for a rallying call to inspire the next generation of clinician scientists.

In this episode of At the Bench, hosts Dr. Misty Good and Dr. Betsy Crouch sit down with Dr. AnneMarie Stroustrup, Chair of Pediatrics at Zucker School of Medicine, Physician-in-Chief at Cohen Children’s Medical Center, and senior vice president of the pediatric service line at Northwell Health. Dr. Stroustrup reflects on her path from early work in biotechnology to training as a neonatologist and physician scientist. She shares how volunteer experiences in an under-resourced emergency department shaped her decision to pursue medicine, and how her MPH in epidemiology provided the tools to investigate critical questions about fetal and neonatal exposures. The conversation highlights her research on environmental chemicals—particularly phthalates—and their links to outcomes such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, work within the NIH ECHO program, and the importance of large-scale, collaborative science. Dr. Stroustrup also discusses the persistence required in research, navigating funding rejections, and translating epidemiologic findings back to bench models. The discussion concludes with her insights on leadership in neonatology, from directing divisions and fellowships to now serving as chair, balancing research, clinical duties, and family life while advocating for sustainable staffing models in pediatrics.

In this episode of At-the-Bench, hosts David McCulley and Misty Good interview Dr. Jennifer Wambach, a neonatologist and researcher specializing in rare neonatal lung diseases. Dr. Wambach shares her journey into neonatology, her research on genetic lung diseases, and the importance of mentorship in developing future physician-scientists. The conversation also covers the Undiagnosed Diseases Network, current research on genetic lung diseases including ABCA3 deficiency, and the challenges faced in rare disease research. Dr. Wambach emphasizes the need for resilience and adaptability in scientific careers, offering valuable advice for early-career investigators.

In this episode, David McCulley and Betsy Crouch interview Dr. Benjamin Fensterheim, a neonatology physician scientist, who shares his journey through medical training, the inspiration behind his immunology research, and the importance of bridging the gap between basic science and clinical neonatology. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by physician scientists, the evolving landscape of neonatal care, and the need for innovative therapies in the NICU. Dr. Fensterheim emphasizes the significance of community and mentorship in supporting early-career researchers and advocates for the value of science in improving healthcare outcomes for infants.

In this episode of At the Bench, Drs. Misty Good and Betsy Crouch welcome Dr. Amélie Collins, an R01-funded neonatologist and associate professor at Cincinnati Children’s. A classically trained immunologist turned hematopoietic stem cell biologist, Dr. Collins shares her journey from philosophy major at the University of Chicago to leading a research program focused on fetal myelopoiesis in the context of maternal inflammation. She discusses her training path through MD/PhD at NYU, her formative time in the labs of Dan Littman and Emmanuelle Passegué, and the critical mentorship moments that shaped her career. Dr. Collins offers an honest look at the challenges and joys of long training, pivoting research directions, and starting an independent lab. She reflects on the intersection of science and clinical care, grant writing as a creative exercise, and the importance of celebrating effort and submission, not just success. We also dive into her Cell paper on the extrinsic regulation of emergency myelopoiesis in the fetus, the role of maternal IL-10, and how her lab is exploring how hematopoietic stem cells mature and retain memory of early-life exposures. Dr. Collins leaves listeners with powerful advice: “Do it because you love it. This career demands a lot, including your time, energy, and weekends. But if you love it, it’s worth it.”

In this episode of At The Bench, Drs. Misty Good and Betsy Crouch speak with Dr. Stephanie Gaw, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist at UCSF, about her path to becoming a physician-scientist and her translational research on placental infections. Dr. Gaw shares how early lab experiences, time in the Peace Corps, and a pivot from infectious disease to OB-GYN shaped her focus on maternal immunity and global health. The conversation covers Dr. Gaw’s work on sepsis in pregnancy, COVID-19 and RSV vaccine responses, and congenital infections like syphilis. She also discusses her approach to building and managing a large placental biorepository, and the importance of thoughtful sample collection for reliable research outcomes. The episode includes practical insights on balancing clinical duties with research, the benefits of peer mentorship, and how clinical observations can drive lab-based investigation. This discussion offers a clear look into the realities and rewards of bridging bedside observations with bench research in maternal-fetal medicine. It’s a valuable listen for early-career physician-scientists and anyone interested in the complexities of immunology, placental biology, and perinatal infection.