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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
#011 - Scaling New Heights: Pulmonary Hypertension, Environmental Exposures, and Resilience with Dr. Judy Aschner
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.