The Incubator At The Bench

#027 - Are We Harming Preterm Kidneys Every Time We Give Gentamicin?

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.

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

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.

#025 - Can We Predict Which Pregnancies Will Fail Before They Do?

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.

#024 - Navigating the Neonatal Immune Landscape: Insights from Dr. Bunmi Olaloye

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.

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

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.