The Incubator #337 - Targeting NEC at the Cellular Level, A New Frontier in Research
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Garabet Yeretssian, PhD, Senior Program Manager at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI), to discuss how collaborative infrastructure and emerging technologies are reshaping research into necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Garabet shares how his background in GI inflammation and rare diseases led him to focus on cross-disciplinary research support, including CZI’s Rare As One Network and its emphasis on patient-led science.
We explore how tools like single-cell transcriptomics, organoid modeling, and AI-driven biomarker discovery are helping scientists better understand NEC pathophysiology — and potentially identify early risk markers. Garabet also talks about the growing effort to bridge the gap between adult GI research and neonatal care, and how aligning researchers, clinicians, and families can accelerate progress in diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
The episode highlights CZI’s funding approach, which requires genuine collaboration with patient organizations, and outlines strategies for researchers and clinicians to engage with private funders. For those attending the NEXT Symposium, Garabet previews his role in sessions focused on inflammation, translational science, and scalable technologies.
Listeners can learn more and register for the 2025 NEXT Symposium at nextsociety.org using promo code incubator for 10% off.
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!