Roles
- Associate Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
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Biography
Dr. Merlin Benny is a neonatologist and physician-scientist with a research interest in the pathogenesis of early origins of vascular morbidities and cardiopulmonary diseases in preterm-born survivors. Dr. Benny completed medical school at T.D Government Medical College in India, Pediatrics residency at Kansas University Medical Center and Neonatology fellowship at Brown University/Women and Infants Hospital. She joined the Division of Neonatology at the University of Miami (UM) in September 2017 to pursue a career as a physician-scientist. Dr. Benny's long-term goal is to translate her experimental laboratory research to develop novel strategies to prevent vascular morbidities and cardiopulmonary dysfunction in preterm-born survivors. -
Education & Training
Education
Post Graduate Training
Licensures and Certifications
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Research Interests
Dr. Benny’s research focuses on understanding how antenatal and postnatal early life exposures lead to persistent alterations in structural and functional development of the cardiopulmonary system. Her lab has expanded on the rodent model of neonatal hyperoxia to study the long-term impact of neonatal oxygen exposure on the systemic vasculature and cardiopulmonary system. They found that adult rats who were exposed to neonatal hyperoxia had increased aortic stiffness, left ventricular remodeling, hypertension and decreased exercise capacity. Her lab is currently studying the molecular mechanisms that modulate this chronic cardiopulmonary dysfunction and developing drug targets for ameliorating cardiopulmonary morbidities in preterm survivors. Her research has been supported by NIH/NHLBI K08 Career Development Award, KL2 Career development Award through Miami CTSI, Project Newborn, Stanley Glaser Award and Micah-Batchelor Award from University of Miami. -
Publications
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Articles & News
Disclaimer:
Information presented in this section has been consolidated using AI and machine learning technologies. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, errors may occur. If you identify any inaccuracies, use this link to inform our data team. Your feedback is appreciated and helps us improve the quality of our content.