01
Donna Geddes
Centre Director · Chief Investigator
Focus — Lactation physiology & ultrasound imagingdonna.geddes@uwa.edu.auHLRGHuman Lactation
Research Group
Research Group
The University of Western Australia · Est. 1993
The first frontier
of human health.
Exploring the synthesis, composition and life-giving intelligence of human milk—from molecule to mother to infant.
Explore latest research
FIG. 01 — MOLECULAR SUSPENSIONBiochemistry · Metabolomics · Physiology · Ultrasound
01 Research continuum
One fluid.
Infinite intelligence.
Human milk is a diverse, dynamic system of nutrients, hormones and live cells uniquely tailored for the human infant. Our multidisciplinary research reveals how it is made, transferred and translated into health.
01
Biochemistry
Mapping macronutrients, hormones, proteins and bioactive components across lactation.
02
Feeding
Observing suck–swallow–breathe coordination, appetite control and infant development.
03
Microbiome
Tracing the living ecology of milk and its role in early-life microbial development.
04
Milk removal
Using imaging and physiological measurement to understand synthesis, ejection and supply.
02 Knowledge nexus
The research
archive.
Exclusively Pumping Women's Milk Production and Pumping and Feeding Dynamics – An Online Survey
An online survey characterising milk production, pumping patterns and feeding dynamics among women who exclusively express breastmilk.
Comparison of Milk Removal Efficiency and Maternal Perception Between a Hospital Grade and Personal Use Pump
Hospital-grade and personal-use pumps offer different features and performance characteristics.
Concentrations of Selected Human Milk Components Influence the Infant Oral Microbiome to a Greater Degree than Estimated Intakes
Examining how milk components shape the infant oral microbiome beyond the effect of estimated intake alone.
Maternal Experiences with Exclusive Pumping – An Online Survey
A study of maternal experiences, challenges and support needs during exclusive pumping.
Maternal characteristics associated with ovalbumin concentrations in breastmilk
Exploring maternal factors connected to dietary protein concentrations in human milk.
Breastmilk expression frequency and production in the first 4 weeks after preterm birth
Understanding expression patterns, sodium concentrations and milk production after preterm birth.
Measuring Nutrient Content in Human Milk: Are We There?
A critical review of the methods and readiness of human milk nutrient measurement.
Maternal Adiposity, Milk Production and Removal, and Infant Milk Intake
Investigating relationships among maternal physiology, milk production and infant intake.
03 The living lab
Precision is
deeply human.
Postdoctoral researchers, graduate research assistants, undergraduate and postgraduate students, collaborate across Australia and the world — each bringing a unique focus to the science of human milk
02
Jacki McEachran
Business Support Specialist
Focus — Operations, project & data managementjacki.mceachran@uwa.edu.au
05
Sharon Perrella
Research Fellow
Focus — Preterm breastfeeding & low milk supplysharon.perrella@uwa.edu.au
06
Zoya Gridneva
Research Fellow
Focus — Milk composition, infant body composition & milk removal from the breastzoya.gridneva@uwa.edu.au
07
Xuehua Jin
Research Associate
Focus — Milk synthesis, biomarkers of low milk production & solutions for low milk supplyxuehua.jin@uwa.edu.au
09
Simran Kaur Sandhu
Graduate Research Assistant
Focus — Molecular aspects of human milksimran.sandhu@uwa.edu.au
10
Claire Hazelwood
PhD Candidate
Focus — Maternal & infant health, lactation policyclaire.hazelwood@uwa.edu.au
11
Hanifatur Rosyidah
PhD Candidate
Focus — Placental anomalies & lactation outcomeshanifatur.rosyidah@research.uwa.edu.au
12
Jelica Gencel Augusto
PhD Candidate
Focus — Early lactation support & health systemsjelica.gencelaugusto@research.uwa.edu.au
14
Danelia Dané Craill
PhD Candidate
Focus — Postpartum ICU admission & breastfeeding supportdanelia.craill@research.uwa.edu.auScroll to explore all 14 members →
04 Global translation
Evidence without
borders.
From our highly equipped laboratories at UWA, we collaborate internationally to translate lactation science into better outcomes for mothers and infants.
25+researchers & students
04core research streams
Europe
America
Singapore
Australia
ACTIVE RESEARCH NETWORK · 2026