MetaCast

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In this MetaCast #31 episode, we welcome Dr. Thais Iwashita, a Brazilian neonatologist whose story shows what’s possible when clinical excellence, curiosity, and global collaboration come together. After training in Brazil, moving from Marília to USP Ribeirão Preto for pediatrics and neonatology, Thais built an international path that took her to Paris, Iowa, and ultimately an observership at Boston Children’s Hospital, one of the world’s leading pediatric centers.
In this conversation, Thais shares what NICU life is really like, caring for extremely premature infants as early as 22-24 weeks, often under 500 grams, and why she believes she was “born to do this.” We dive into the step-by-step strategies she used to build meaningful mentorship: doing her homework before conferences, asking thoughtful questions, and following up with the right email weeks later to turn a brief interaction into a real professional relationship. We also discuss how meta-analysis helped her collaborate internationally from Brazil, why research can elevate clinical practice, and what she noticed about the differences between academic training environments in Brazil and top U.S. centers.
Her journey is a practical roadmap for trainees and early-career physicians who want to grow in academic medicine, strengthen their CVs, connect with mentors abroad, and create opportunities through initiative and consistency, without waiting for the “perfect” circumstances. Whether you’re exploring neonatology or building an international academic path, this episode is full of insights you can apply right away.

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In MetaCast #30, we welcome Juan Pinilla, a final-year medical student from Medellín, Colombia, whose academic journey shows what’s possible when persistence, curiosity, and global collaboration come together. Coming from a setting with few research opportunities, Juan carved his path by learning to identify gaps, connecting with mentors around the world, and consistently showing up for the work, eventually leading to first-author publications, international presentations, and a competitive clerkship opportunity in Texas.
In this episode, Juan shares what it’s really like to pursue research in Latin America, how he developed the confidence to reach out to global mentors, and the step-by-step strategies that helped him grow from having almost no academic experience to publishing in high-impact cardiology journals. We also discuss how community support, evidence-based thinking, and the Meta-Analysis Academy shaped his development and opened doors that once seemed out of reach.
His story is a practical roadmap for international medical students who want to build strong CVs, find mentors abroad, earn U.S. clinical experience, and make research a meaningful part of their careers, even without ideal resources. Whether you’re just starting your academic journey or preparing for residency applications, this conversation is full of insights you can apply right away.

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In MetaCast #29, we host Dr. Wiktor Gminski, a cardiologist from Poland who traveled to the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions to present his meta-analysis and received the prestigious Paul Dudley Award. Coming from a demanding clinical environment and navigating a long, intensive cardiology training pathway, he shares how curiosity, openness, and mentorship shaped his journey from medical school in Poland to becoming a certified operator in cardiac implantable electronic devices.
In this episode, we explore what cardiology training looks like in Europe, including the structure of residency, subspecialty pathways in electrophysiology and cardiac devices, and how young physicians can identify their niche. Dr. Wiktor discusses how discovering meta-analysis reframed his academic trajectory, helping him find knowledge gaps, develop original research ideas, and collaborate internationally through the Meta-Analysis Academy and its Experts Program.
The conversation highlights the importance of seizing opportunities, staying open-minded, networking at conferences like AHA, and learning from peers and mentors. This episode offers practical insights and inspiration for cardiology trainees, early-career researchers, and physicians aiming to build impactful academic careers while balancing clinical responsibilities.

Learn more about the Meta-Analysis Academy: https://research.metaanalysisacademy.com/maaen-le-stm-descricao

In MetaCast #28, we host Kangwa Francis Molenga, a Zambian medical student currently completing his medical training in Azerbaijan. Coming from a background with limited access to research infrastructure and international academic guidance, Kangwa shares how curiosity, resilience, and strategic decision-making shaped his journey from high school in Zambia to studying medicine abroad through a fully funded international scholarship.
In this episode, we explore the realities of pursuing medical education outside one’s home country, including navigating government-sponsored scholarships, adapting to a compressed and intensive medical curriculum, and overcoming the lack of local research opportunities. Kangwa discusses how discovering meta-analysis transformed his academic trajectory, allowing him to collaborate with researchers worldwide and publish cardiology research presented at major international conferences. The conversation highlights the importance of initiative, global networking, time management, and evidence-based medicine for international medical graduates aiming to build competitive CVs and pursue residency training in the United States. This episode offers practical insight and inspiration for students seeking to build academic careers despite systemic limitations.
What is the Meta-Analysis Academy? Get to know the program that can help you to learn how to publish with high-impact, completely from scratch.
Our mission is two-fold: (1) to provide doctors and medical students worldwide with the tools to publish high-impact research with autonomy; and (2) to transform the careers of doctors and medical students through the publication of relevant research.
Rhanderson Cardoso, MD is a clinical cardiologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School. He graduated medical school in Brazil and did his training in Cardiology at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. He was also a chief resident at the University of Miami Internal Medicine Residency Program.* Dr. Cardoso has published more than 90 manuscripts in PubMed-indexed journals, with over 2300 citations in the literature, including by international guidelines. In addition, he has taught thousands of students how to conduct impactful research with autonomy to also advance their careers through the Meta-Analysis Academy.
*Important: The Meta-Analysis Academy has no affiliation with the University of Miami, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, or Harvard Medical School. Opinions are exclusively that of Dr. Rhanderson Cardoso and the team at the Meta-Analysis Academy.

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In MetaCast #27, we host Nathalia Schettino, a Brazilian medical student currently training in New York. With an early passion for international education, Nathalia shares her journey from completing high school in Brazil to pursuing undergraduate studies and the pre-med track in the United States, ultimately building a strong foundation toward a medical career within one of the world’s most competitive academic systems.
In this episode, we explore the strategic decisions that shaped her path as an international student, including preparation for U.S. college admissions, adaptation to the academic and cultural demands of New York, and the realities of applying to medical school as a non–U.S. citizen. The conversation highlights the importance of academic performance, standardized exams, research involvement, clinical exposure, volunteering, and strong letters of recommendation in constructing a competitive medical school application. This episode offers insights for students considering an international pathway to medicine and seeking a realistic, structured perspective on medical training in the United States.
*Important: The Meta-Analysis Academy has no affiliation with the University of Miami, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, or Harvard Medical School. Opinions are exclusively that of Dr. Rhanderson Cardoso and the team at the Meta-Analysis Academy.