#219 - 🔬 The Importance of Saliva (Ft Dr. Jill Maron)
Jun 21, 2024
44:00
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Dr. Jill Maron, a neonatologist and physician-scientist, discusses the importance of saliva in healthcare, focusing on non-invasive prenatal testing and feeding tolerance in premature infants. She shares insights on her research journey, leadership role in neonatology, and the value of mentorship and resilience in personal growth. The podcast highlights the potential of utilizing saliva for diagnostic purposes and emphasizes the significance of industry partnerships for innovative medical solutions.
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Quick takeaways
Dr. Maron's transition from patient care to research showcases the impact of mentorship in shaping a career path.
Innovations in non-invasive prenatal testing and RNA analysis are driven by Dr. Maron's work in salivary diagnostics.
The integration of saliva collection and RNA analysis offers promising diagnostic tools for improving neonatal care.
Deep dives
Dr. Jill Marron's Journey to Becoming a Physician Scientist
Dr. Jill Marron shares her career path as a neonatologist, driven by a passion for research and advancing patient care. Her mentorship under Dr. Diana Bianchi, a neonatologist and geneticist, laid the foundation for her work in molecular genetics. Inspired by Dr. Bianchi's groundbreaking research on microchimerism, Dr. Marron delved into salivary diagnostics, leading to innovations in non-invasive prenatal testing and saliva stabilization for RNA analysis.
Transitioning to Independence and Research Focus
Dr. Marron navigates the transition to independence as a fellow, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and carving a unique research path. She overcomes challenges in stabilizing RNA in plasma, leading to pivotal advancements with PaxGene tubes. Collaborating with industry, Dr. Marron's research expands into salivary diagnostics, focusing on feeding tolerance and intolerance to improve neonatal care.
Advancements in Neonatal Salivary Diagnostics
Dr. Marron's work in saliva collection for premature babies showcases the utility of saliva in diagnosing feeding intolerance and monitoring for sepsis. Her studies reveal salient cytokine profiles in infant saliva, offering insights into various morbidities linked to inflammation. The integration of RNA analysis in saliva serves as a promising diagnostic tool for neonatal care practitioners.
Leadership Role and Future Directions in Saliva Research
Dr. Marron's leadership role as a neonatology chief underscores her focus on multidisciplinary collaboration to enhance patient care. She highlights the significance of navigating the unique chief position at Brown University, allowing for independent decision-making in neonatal services. Embracing a clinical-centric approach, Dr. Marron aims to bridge academia and industry partnerships to accelerate the adoption of bedside salivary diagnostics.
Embracing Challenges and Setting Goals
Dr. Marron's motto 'Do the thing you think you cannot do' epitomizes her approach to personal and professional growth. She encourages early-stage investigators to embrace failure, push boundaries, and seek new challenges annually. Driven by resilience and the pursuit of unfamiliar territories, she advocates for continuous self-improvement and impactful contributions to pediatric research.
In this episode of the Incubator "At the Bench," we talk with Dr. Jill Maron, a neonatologist and physician-scientist at Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and Brown University. Join us as we hear Dr. Maron share her journey from medical school to becoming a leading researcher in neonatology. She discusses how her early drive to provide the best patient care evolved into a commitment to advancing bedside care through research. Inspired by Dr. Diana Bianchi, Dr. Maron pursued a career in salivary diagnostics, focusing on non-invasive prenatal testing and feeding tolerance in premature infants. She highlights the challenges and successes in her research journey, emphasizing the importance of finding the right mentorship and building a research career that addresses significant clinical questions that provide answers to patient care conundrums in the neonatal intensive care unit. Dr. Maron also talks about her experiences with giving a TED talk and the impact it had on her career. We are also fortunate to learn about how Dr. Maron decided to take on her current leadership role, when to say “yes,” and step out of your comfort zone in your personal and professional life. We are excited to have you join us for an insightful look into the life and career journey of an inspiring neonatologist-scientist!
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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