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The Incubator At The Bench
At the Bench is a podcast series produced by The Incubator and hosted by Dr. Elizabeth Crouch, Dr. David McCulley, and Dr. Misty Good. This series is dedicated to exploring the lives and work of neonatal physician scientists. Each episode features in depth conversations with neonatologists who have chosen careers rooted in discovery science, offering listeners a closer look at what it truly means to be “at the bench.” Through thoughtful discussion, the hosts explore how these clinicians found their path into research, the scientific questions that drive their work, and the challenges and rewards of balancing clinical care with life in the laboratory. The series provides insight, inspiration, and practical perspective for trainees, early career investigators, and anyone curious about the role of physician scientists in advancing neonatal care.
The Incubator At The Bench
#004 - Understanding Neonatal Brain Injury with Dr. Donna Ferriero
In this episode of “At the Bench” in the Incubator podcast family, Dr. Donna Ferrero discusses her work on therapeutic hypothermia and neonatal brain injuries. She explains the development and implementation of therapeutic hypothermia as a treatment for brain injuries in newborns. Dr. Ferrero also explores the signaling pathways and early markers that can help identify patients who will respond well to hypothermia. She discusses the use of erythropoietin (EPO) and the results of the HEAL trial. Additionally, Dr. Ferrero highlights the importance of genetic variants and sex-specific differences in understanding and treating brain injuries. She also emphasizes the need for a multi-omics approach to better comprehend the complexity of brain injuries and develop personalized interventions. We also delve into the future of care for hypoxia ischemia and the importance of collaboration and career development for physician scientists. The value of collaboration with international researchers and the benefits of visiting other institutions and labs are highlighted. Tips for effective collaboration and overcoming challenges in career development are provided, along with insights into the role of leadership in advancing the field.