• #018 - Predicting hemodynamic significance of the PDA using multi-modal physiological data
    Jun 26 2026

    In this episode of Fellows Friday, Rupa welcomes Giulia Lima, a third-year neonatal perinatal medicine fellow at Harvard and incoming Assistant Professor at the University of Miami. Giulia walks us through her fellowship research journey, from a large epidemiological study of premature infants with congenital heart disease through the Children's Hospital Neonatal Consortium, to her Marshall Klaus Award-winning work on optimal surgical timing. The centerpiece of the conversation is her machine learning model designed to predict hemodynamically significant PDA using continuous physiological data, including heart rate variability and diastolic blood pressure trends, without relying on echocardiography. Giulia also reflects on the power of mentorship and her vision for integrating artificial intelligence into real-time clinical decision-making in the NICU.

    Support the show

    As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

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    26 mins
  • #017 - Exploring the impact of dexamethasone on the PDA and cardiovascular function
    May 29 2026

    What does dexamethasone actually do to the preterm heart over time? In this episode of Rupa's Fellows Friday, Srirupa sits down with Phoenix Plessas-Azurduy, doctoral candidate at McGill University and researcher at the NeoCardioLab under Dr. Gabriel Altit. Phoenix shares her work on NORDIC-SPEC, a prospective longitudinal study using serial echocardiography to characterize the cardiovascular effects of dexamethasone in preterm infants. Her preliminary findings show a progressive reduction in PDA size and increasing ductal closure rates over time within a conservative management context. The conversation also covers mentorship, the value of cold emails, and what it looks like to build a research career from the ground up.

    Support the show

    As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

    Enjoy!

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    26 mins
  • #016 - Racial variations in Near-infrared Spectroscopy: A conversation with Dr. Callie Marshall
    Apr 24 2026

    In this episode, Dr. Callie Marshall, a third-year neonatology fellow at Washington University, shares her journey through medical school and fellowship, highlighting her research on racial variations in neonatal care. She discusses her mentorship experience, emphasizing the importance of finding a mentor who aligns with one's interests and values. Dr. Marshall elaborates on her research project that investigates the accuracy of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in assessing oxygen levels in black infants, revealing significant findings that contribute to the understanding of health disparities in neonatal care.


    Support the show

    As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

    Enjoy!

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    25 mins
  • #015 - Use of abdominal NIRS for NEC
    Mar 29 2026

    In this conversation, Dr. Samer Bou Karroum emphasizes the significance of early planning and preparation in shaping one's career and future. He discusses how contemplating future paths can provide clarity and direction, even if the future remains uncertain. The insights shared highlight the importance of laying a solid foundation to build upon for future success.

    Support the show

    As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

    Enjoy!

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    31 mins
  • #014 - The NICU Superpower-transforming NICU care with POCUS
    Feb 25 2026

    In this episode, Dr. Meghan Rowe discusses her journey as a POCUS fellow at the University of Washington and Seattle Children's Hospital. She shares her experiences with a quality improvement project aimed at improving surfactant administration for neonates with respiratory distress syndrome. The conversation covers the importance of mentorship, the challenges of implementing new practices, and the perspectives of nursing staff and parents. Dr. Rowe emphasizes the significance of training and collaboration in enhancing neonatal care through point-of-care ultrasound.


    Support the show

    As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

    Enjoy!

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    29 mins
  • #013 - Dr. Chaitra Manjunath - Navigating the role of mRNA in HIE
    Jan 23 2026

    In this episode of Rupa’s Fellows Friday, Chaitra discusses her research on hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), where her primary focus has been on the potential role of microRNA profiling in predicting outcomes for affected infants, describing both the promise of this approach and the practical challenges she faced, such as patient consent and laboratory limitations. Dr. Manjunath emphasizes the critical role of mentorship and collaboration in advancing neonatal research. Beyond her scientific work, she shares a growing interest in healthcare price transparency, motivated by her own personal experiences navigating the medical system. She highlights disparities in access and cost of care and advocates for better patient awareness of healthcare options.

    Support the show

    As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

    Enjoy!

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    30 mins
  • #012 - Dr. Andrew Beverstock - Exploring Neonatal Nutrition: The Role of Urinary Sodium
    Dec 1 2025

    In this episode, Dr. Andrew Beverstock discusses his research on urinary sodium and its relationship with growth in preterm neonates. He shares insights into the importance of sodium for neonatal growth, the methodology of his study, and the unexpected results that challenge existing literature. The conversation also touches on his diverse medical training, mentorship experiences, and his involvement in medical education and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). Dr. Beverstock emphasizes the significance of careful population selection in research and outlines his future research directions.

    Support the show

    As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

    Enjoy!

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    32 mins
  • #011 - Dr. Sidney Zven’s Research on Addressing Food Insecurity in Military Families
    Nov 28 2025

    In this episode, Dr. Sidney Zven shares his unique journey from a civil engineering career to becoming a neonatology fellow at Walter Reed Military Medical Center. He discusses his experiences with food insecurity among military families, particularly focusing on WIC enrollment challenges and the impact of stigma and misinformation. Dr. Zven highlights his mentorship experience while working on a grant to address these issues and the importance of engaging stakeholders in community health initiatives. He also provides insights into his neonatology fellowship training and his aspirations for the future in military medicine.

    Support the show

    As always, feel free to send us questions, comments, or suggestions to our email: nicupodcast@gmail.com. You can also contact the show through Instagram or Twitter, @nicupodcast. Or contact Ben and Daphna directly via their Twitter profiles: @drnicu and @doctordaphnamd. The papers discussed in today's episode are listed and timestamped on the webpage linked below.

    Enjoy!

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    36 mins