The Incubator At The Bench

Epizode

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  #030 - Hydrogen, Metformin, and the First Two Hours - Rethinking HIE Neuroprotection with Brian Kalish 17.09.2026 46min

  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 neurobi...
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  #029 - What If Regulatory T Cells Hold the Key to Preterm Birth? 26.08.2026 1h 3min

  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 (Tre...
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  #028 - Can a Dual Career Couple Build One Lab and Two Careers? 17.06.2026 54min

  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...
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  #027 - Are We Harming Preterm Kidneys Every Time We Give Gentamicin? 14.05.2026 40min

  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...
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  #026 - Exploring Neonatal Platelet Biology (ft Dr. Christopher Thom) 22.04.2026 57min

  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.
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  #025 - Can We Predict Which Pregnancies Will Fail Before They Do? 29.03.2026 44min

  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 w...
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  #024 - Navigating the Neonatal Immune Landscape: Insights from Dr. Bunmi Olaloye 19.02.2026 53min

  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 ...
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  #023 - Innovations in Prenatal Therapies: Insights from Dr. Tippi MacKenzie 21.01.2026 47min

  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 epi...
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  #022 - Can Stem Cell Therapy Transform Outcomes for Babies with Lung Disease? 30.11.2025 1h 1min

  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 m...
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  #021 - Building Bridges Between the NICU and the Lab with Dr. Eleanor Molloy 30.11.2025 57min

  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 outc...
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  #020 - Dr. AnneMarie Stroustrup on Environmental Exposures, Research Persistence, and Leadership in Neonatology 30.11.2025 56min

  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 depart...
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  #019 - Genetics and Neonatal Lung Disease: A Conversation with Dr. Jennifer Wambach 30.11.2025 54min

  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 face...
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  #018 - Beyond Dexamethasone: The Future of Immune Therapies in the NICU 30.11.2025 57min

  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...
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  #017 - Following the Why: Building a Career at the Intersection of Science and Care 29.11.2025 1h 6min

  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 form...
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  #016 - The Placenta Holds the Answers: A Researcher’s Perspective 29.11.2025 48min

  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 ...
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  #015 - Satyan Lakshminrusimha on Science, Mentorship, and Building a Better NICU 29.11.2025 1h

  In this episode of the Incubator, David McCulley and Misty Good talk with Dr. Satyan Lakshminrusimha, a leading figure in neonatology and physician-scientist who discusses his journey from clinician to researcher, the significance of large animal studies in neonatal care, and the impact of research on clinical guidelines. They explore the importance of mentorship, the challenges of conducting neonatology physician-scientist research, and the leadership roles in the field of neonatology. Dr. L...
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  #014 - Understanding Fetal Growth (ft. Dr. Paul Rozance) 29.11.2025 1h 14min

  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 ...
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  #013 - Cultivating Talent at the Bench with Dr. Phyllis Dennery (Part 1) 29.11.2025 50min

  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 disc...
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  #012 - Unraveling the Genetic Basis of Diseases and Decoding Life (ft. Dr. Wendy Chung) 29.11.2025 52min

  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 diag...
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  #011 - Scaling New Heights: Pulmonary Hypertension, Environmental Exposures, and Resilience with Dr. Judy Aschner 29.11.2025 1h 1min

  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 cha...