#009 - How to Heal the Preemie Brain 🧠

In this episode of the Incubator "At the Bench," we speak with Dr. Eric Benner, a neonatologist and physician-scientist at Duke University. Dr. Benner shares his path from an MD-PhD student with a background in Parkinson’s research to a passionate neonatologist driven by personal experiences in the NICU after his twin sons were born prematurely. He describes how these experiences inspired him to dedicate his career to studying neurologic outcomes in preterm infants, focusing on neural stem cells and ways to improve outcomes for children like his son who has faced neurologic challenges. Dr. Benner discusses his pioneering research on oxysterols in breast milk, which activate neural pathways, particularly the sonic hedgehog pathway, to promote brain development in preterm infants. His journey includes navigating the patent process, founding a biotech company, and persisting despite initial skepticism from the pharmaceutical industry. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaboration, sharing practical advice for budding physician-scientists. Dr. Benner also highlights the need for palliative care in neonatology, inspired by his wife's work in palliative medicine, as an integral component of compassionate care in the NICU.