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.
Centre Director · Chief Investigator
Professor Donna Geddes leads the Human Lactation Research Group, pioneering the use of ultrasound imaging to visualise the milk ejection reflex and redefine our understanding of lactation physiology in breastfeeding mothers and preterm infants.
Business Support Specialist
Jacki coordinates the group's day-to-day operations, finance and data management, ensuring clinical studies and laboratory workflows run smoothly from recruitment through publication.
Research Fellow
Dr Ching Tat Lai develops the analytical methods that underpin the group's milk biochemistry work, characterising hormones, proteins and lipids across the lactation continuum.
Research Fellow
Dr Lisa Stinson investigates how mode of birth, feeding and early exposures shape the infant microbiome and influence long-term maternal and child health.
Research Fellow
Dr Sharon Perrella's clinical research focuses on supporting breastfeeding in mothers of term and preterm infants and identifying the physiological drivers of low milk supply.
Research Fellow
Dr Zoya Gridneva explores the relationships between human milk composition and infant growth, tracking how bioactive components map to early body composition trajectories.
Research Associate
Dr Xuehua Jin studies the endocrine regulation of milk synthesis, measuring how maternal hormones fluctuate across lactation and respond to infant feeding.
Research Assistant
Ashleigh supports the group's clinical studies, coordinating participant visits, sample collection and laboratory protocols that keep trials running to schedule.
Graduate Research Assistant
Simran contributes to the biochemical analysis of human milk, assisting with laboratory assays and the workflows used to profile milk components.
PhD Candidate
Claire is continuing her research within the Australian context, with a similar focus on maternal and infant health, exploring the experiences of diverse communities and the broader factors influencing breastfeeding and health outcomes.
PhD Candidate
Danelia is investigating strategies to better support breastfeeding mothers who require intensive care unit (ICU) admission after birth due to major postpartum haemorrhage or pre-eclampsia. As an ICU Clinical Nurse at Fiona Stanley Hospital and a mum of two young boys herself, this topic is close to her heart. Working in collaboration with South Metropolitan Health Service, her research aims to improve outcomes and experiences for mothers during a particularly vulnerable time. The project is generously supported through a Clinician Researcher Training Grant from the FHRI Fund and The Hospital Research Foundation Group.
PhD Candidate
Hanifatur investigates how placental structure and function relate to subsequent lactation performance, linking obstetric outcomes to milk production.
PhD Candidate
Jelica aims to shed light on how we can better support families and equip health systems to enable early lactation in preterm and sick infants who require air or road transport from primary/secondary health centers in the vast region of Western Australia to receive specialised care at the tertiary NICU at Perth Children's Hospital.
PhD Candidate
Sophie studies the immunologically active proteins in human milk and their role in modulating infant immune development and allergic sensitisation.
