Nicole R. Dobson

Nicole R. Dobson, MD serves as Director of the Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) School of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics. A board-certified neonatologist and U.S. Army Colonel, she maintains active clinical and research roles at the National Capital Consortium in Bethesda, MD, with primary responsibilities in neonatal critical care training and translational research.

Education

• MD, Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School (1996-2000; Class Valedictorian)
• BS, Molecular Biology, Lehigh University (1993-1996; Highest Honors)
• Fellowship, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, National Capital Consortium (2003-2006)
• Residency, General Pediatrics, Walter Reed Army Medical Center (2000-2003)

Dr. Dobson's research centers on neuroprotective interventions for premature infants, with particular expertise in intermittent hypoxia mechanisms and caffeine pharmacotherapy optimization. Her work investigates how oxygen fluctuations impact white matter development and how caffeine therapy mitigates neural injury. Through military healthcare systems, she examines racial disparities in preterm outcomes and translational applications of pharmacokinetic principles to neonatal intensive care. Her research bridges bench-to-bedside innovation in high-risk infant populations.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals dominant themes in neonatal respiratory pharmacology (78% of works), with concentrated focus on caffeine's role in apnea management and neuroprotection. Her NIH-funded ICAF trial represents the largest clinical investigation in this domain, while her salivary drug monitoring studies established novel non-invasive assessment methods. Temporal trends show increasing emphasis on health equity (2018 military healthcare disparity study) and translational biomarker development (2016 pharmacokinetic validation).

Scientific Recognition

• A Proficiency Designator for Army Neonatology leadership (2016)
• Society for Pediatric Research election (2014)
• Ogden C. Bruton Award for best science paper (2012)
• Executive Board membership: American SIDS Institute & American Association of SIDS Prevention Physicians

As Fellowship Program Director, Dr. Dobson mentors military-civilian trainees through the National Capital Consortium. Her $4.2M NIH-funded ICAF trial (R01HD089289) as Co-Investigator represents her largest grant, complemented by American SIDS Institute funding (2010-2016) and USUHS Office of Research support for white matter injury studies. Her deployed service as Medical Director at Craig Joint Theater Hospital (Afghanistan, 2009) informs her operational medicine perspective on neonatal care.

Dr. Dobson leads the USUHS Neonatal-Perinatal Research Team within the Department of Pediatrics, collaborating with the National Institutes of Health and military treatment facilities across the National Capital Region. Her laboratory work focuses on murine models of white matter injury, while her clinical team implements evidence-based protocols for intermittent hypoxia management at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.