New President's Welcome
By Carol Wagner MD
Dear ISRHML Members and Colleagues,
It’s an exciting time to be part of ISRHML! We are closing in on the 22nd ISRHML Conference, to be held from December 8-13, 2024, in Charleston, SC, and our society continues to expand its global reach, advancing human milk and lactation science in new and meaningful ways. I’m proud to share some highlights of what we’ve achieved and what lies ahead.
22nd ISRHML Conference: Milestones and Momentum
Our upcoming 22nd ISRHML Conference is set to be a hallmark event with 201 abstracts accepted and over 200 individuals registered thus far. We have secured an impressive $125,000 in funding, thanks to contributions to date from NIH, foundations, and $30,000 from WHO-compliant vendors and other supportive organizations. These contributions help ensure the continued success of ISRHML’s mission, fostering cutting-edge research and international collaboration in human milk and lactation studies.
This year, we are excited to offer 27 Trainee Conference Awards and 7 Global Awards, supporting attendees from around the world. These awards represent a significant investment in the future of our field, recognizing and supporting the brightest early-career researchers.
In addition to the conference sessions, we will be hosting three pre-conference and one post-conference workshops that provide valuable opportunities for professional development and networking:
- On December 8th, from 3-6 pm, we will offer a free pre-conference workshop titled “Human Milk Composition Data in Federal Nutrition Policy: Uses, Limitations, and Future Directions,” featuring speakers from NIH, FDA, USDA, and Health Canada. This event will be available both in person and virtually, ensuring that even those who cannot attend in person can benefit from the expert discussions.
- On the morning of December 9th, we will host Optional Workshop 1: Improving Human Milk and Breastfeeding Outcomes for Vulnerable Infants at Discharge and Beyond, led by Dr. Diane Spatz.
- On the afternoon of December 9th, we will offer Optional Workshop 2: Human Milk and Lactation Research – Back to the Basics, featuring Dr. Mark McGuire, Dr. Shelley McGuire, Dr. Paula Meier, and Dr. Donna Geddes. This workshop will delve into foundational human milk and lactation research methods and concepts, ideal for both new and seasoned researchers.
- Additionally, there will be a post-conference workshop on December 13th, titled Optional Workshop 3: Communicating Lactation Science: Reflexive Engagement & Finding a Path Forward. This workshop will be led by Dr. Meghan Azad and associates and will focus on enhancing the communication of lactation science through reflexive engagement. It will offer practical tools for effectively sharing research with diverse audiences, providing an interactive experience for all attendees.
- The conference promises to be an incredible experience for all attendees, packed with cutting-edge research presentations, collaborative networking opportunities, and interactive workshops. If you haven’t registered yet, I encourage you to do so soon!
Growing ISRHML Membership: Expanding Our Global Community
Our society’s growth in both membership and influence has been remarkable. With the continued expansion of our networking and partnership initiatives, we are reaching more scientists, clinicians, and researchers than ever before. Through collaboration with international bodies and regional partners, ISRHML is establishing a truly global platform where knowledge and innovations in human milk research can thrive.
One of our primary goals for the upcoming year is to ensure that we provide ample opportunities for members to connect, share insights, and engage in meaningful discussions. Expanding our membership remains a top priority, as does ensuring that our members have access to the latest research and professional development opportunities. Stay tuned to exciting developments on our ISRHML website.
Strengthening Global Connections: TIG Webinars
A cornerstone of our global engagement strategy has been the TIG (Trainee Interest Group) Webinars. These virtual events have proven to be an invaluable tool for networking across the world, providing ISRHML members with access to expert presentations, discussions on the latest research, and opportunities to connect with colleagues and mentors.
The TIG program continues to build bridges between early-career researchers and established experts, fostering the next generation of scientists. Through these webinars, we can strengthen our community and ensure that knowledge and mentorship are shared across borders.
Embracing the Future: A New Web Platform for ISRHML
As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the member experience, ISRHML is transitioning to a new web platform, provided by webdonewell.com. This new platform will offer an enhanced, user-friendly experience for all members, including easier access to resources, more streamlined event registration, and improved networking features.
This change reflects ISRHML’s dedication to adapting and growing in the digital age. With the new platform, we aim to make it even easier for our members to stay connected, informed, and engaged with society activities and research.
Upcoming ISRHML Executive Committee Elections
We are excited to announce the upcoming ISRHML Executive Committee (EC) elections to be held in January 2025. During this election, we will be filling three positions that will become available as current members rotate off after completing their three-year terms in April 2025.
We encourage self-nominations and nominations of colleagues, and we welcome the possibility of previous EC members running again! The success of ISRHML depends on the leadership, vision, and contributions of our EC members, and we look forward to receiving nominations from our diverse and talented membership.
If you or someone you know would like to be part of shaping the future of ISRHML, this is your chance to make a difference! Please don’t hesitate to put forward a nomination. We truly value the input and advice of each EC member as we continue to advance the science of human milk and lactation.
Exciting Times Ahead
I am thrilled about the future of ISRHML and the progress we are making toward our collective goals. The 22nd ISRHML Conference will be a remarkable gathering, showcasing the diversity and dynamism of human milk research and setting the stage for future discoveries.
Our growing membership, expanding TIG Webinar series, and transition to a new web platform all reflect the vibrant energy within our society. I encourage each of you to stay engaged, whether through attending our upcoming conference, participating in webinars, or simply connecting with your fellow members. Together, we are advancing the science of human milk in ways that will benefit mothers, infants, and communities around the globe.
Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to seeing you in December. Warm regards,
Carol L. Wagner, MD
President, ISRHML
UPCOMING EVENTS
Links clickable
December 9-13, 2024
ISRHML Annual Conference Charleston, SC
March 4-6, 2025
Human Milk Institute Symposium 2025 – HMI’25
3rd Annual Kohlberg Johnson Family Human Milk Institute Symposium
La Jolla, CA
April 4-5, 2025
Human Milk Banking 2025 Symposium (Members only) Dallas, TX
April 24-28. 2025
Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2025 Honolulu, HI
TIG President’s Update
The TIG GC: Dr. Noura El Habbal (President), Laasya Devi Annepureddy (President-Elect), Oluwaseyifunmi Valentina Oladipo (Secretary), Aria Grabowski (Professional Development Coordinator), Dr. Kelsey Johnson (Global representation Chair), Dr. Sarah Nyquist (Membership Chair), Adrianna Greco (Newsletter and Blog Editor), and Eow Shiang Yen (Social Media Chair)
By Laasya Devi Annepureddy, PhD Candidate, Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College; TIG GC President-Elect
&
Noura El Habbal, PhD, RD, Assistant Professor (Teaching Track), Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, School of Health Professions, New York Institute of Technology; TIG GC President
Dear ISRHML Members and Milk Minutes Readers,
We are excited to share updates from the Trainee Interest Group (TIG) and highlight our upcoming trainee events, awards, and conference activities.
First and foremost, we thank all our dedicated trainees for their active participation in the TIG networking events and webinars. Your engagement is what makes the TIG a vibrant and thriving community. We would like to take a minute to acknowledge the team’s commitment to trainee success. Thank you to Dr. Kelsey Johnson (Global Representation Chair), Aria Grabowski (Professional Development Coordinator), Dr. Sarah Nyquist (Membership Chair), Adrianna Greco (Newsletter and Blog Editor), Eow Shiang Yen (Social Media and Communications Chair), and Oluwaseyifunmi Valentina Oladipo (Secretary) for all their dedication to the TIG. We are grateful to Dr. Anita Esquerra-Zwiers and Dr. Jimi Francis and for their contributions to the TIG GC as our advisors. As Dr. Jimi Francis steps down from her position, we are excited to welcome our incoming advisor, Dr. Paula Meier. We also want to thank Dr. Carol Wagner (ISRHML President) and Dr. Janet Williams (ISRHML Executive Committee Secretary) for their continued support of the TIG GC.
Some of the work we have been up to includes our TIG webinars which have been a tremendous success. Special thanks to Aria Grabowski for organizing the webinar session on “Advice for the Trainee Expansion Program (TEP)” (virtual, July 2024) and led by Dr. Donna Geddes and Dr. Kathrin Litwan who provided valuable insight on the application process. We would also like to thank our speakers and previous TEP recipients, Dr. Yarden Golan Maor, Dr. Adwoa Gyamfi, Dr. Marion M. Bendixen, and Dr. Kelsey Cochrane for sharing their experiences with our trainees. Recordings of these webinars are available for ISRHML members on our website using this link here (member login required).
Providing trainees with networking opportunities has been a pillar of the TIG GC. We are proud to announce that our virtual trainee networking event held in June 2024 has been a success. We will also be planning a webinar to offer tips on designing and creating effective posters. With the ISRHML conference coming up, later this year, we will be planning a virtual networking opportunity for the trainees attending the conference to help network with other researchers in the field. This event will be a great way for our in-person and virtual conference attendees to network before the conference. Our highly anticipated 22nd conference will be taking place in Charleston, South Carolina, from December 9th to 13th, 2024. You can register online for the conference using the Online Registration Portal, by phone at 843-876-1925, by email form sent to [email protected], or by fax form to 843- 876-1931.
During the conference, we will have two trainee events that we hope you can join us during! Our first event will be a Professional Development Panel where you will learn about career opportunities from multiple speakers. This event will take place during lunchtime, at noon on Wednesday, December 11, Our second event will be Meet the Experts, where you can network with experts in the lactation field and learn from their experiences. This event will take place during lunchtime, at 12:30 pm on Thursday, December 12, 2024. We will have more details on our finalized conference agenda. We hope you can join us and meet fellow trainees and members of ISRHML.
For any news you would like ISRHML to share on our social media platforms or in future Milk Minutes newsletters, please let us know by emailing [email protected]. We also follow our trainees’ Google Scholar profiles to help showcase their work on our Social Media Platforms. We encourage you to make a Google Scholar profile and share your account with us via email at [email protected] so we can highlight your newest publications on our Social Media platforms. To learn more about how to create a Google Scholar Profile, please follow our guide here.
Interested in getting involved with the TIG? Fill out this form, and one of our TIG Governing Committee members will contact you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] for any questions, concerns, or ideas for future events.
If your membership has expired, we hope you will consider renewing using this link and continue being a part of the ISRHML community, as well as connect with other trainees on our Slack channel and receive emails regarding our upcoming events.
Thank you, trainees, for being the most integral part of this journey and at the heart of all the work we do! We look forward to seeing you all at the conference and at our future virtual events.
Sincerely,
Laasya Devi Annepureddy, PhD Candidate
TIG GC President-Elect
Noura El Habbal, PhD, RD
TIG GC President
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
BY CARRIE-ELLEN BRIERE, PHD, RN
Navigating the Early Days of Faculty Life: 5 Tips for New Faculty Starting a Lab
Starting a faculty position and establishing a lab can be both exciting and daunting. From planning your space to managing your time effectively, there’s a lot to juggle. As someone who has transitioned from postdoc to the tenure track (and now newly tenured!), and overseen the design of a new lab, I’ve learned valuable lessons along the way. Here are a few strategies to help you start your faculty position strong and build a successful foundation.
- Document Everything for Reviews and Tenure: Start tracking your achievements from day one. Whether it’s publications, grants, teaching accomplishments, or mentoring milestones, having a central record makes tenure preparation and yearly reviews much easier. A spreadsheet, app, or folder dedicated to this purpose will save time and stress later.
- Plan Sample Tracking from Day 1: Effective sample management is a cornerstone of lab efficiency. Develop a robust system for accessioning and tracking samples so that your freezer does not become filled with “miscellaneous samples” that you need to sort through manually to find what you are looking for (or maybe even forget what is in there!). Even if your first study is “small”, starting with a clear way to label, track, and store is something you will never regret… believe me! Starting with an organized system will save significant time and prevent headaches as your lab grows. If you’re not sure how to do this, talk to mentors and senior faculty to get ideas for what has worked for them and implement your own plan.
- Prioritize Dedicated Writing Time: Schedule blocks of uninterrupted time for writing and make them non-negotiable. Identify the time of day when you’re most focused—whether it’s early morning or late afternoon—and block that period in your calendar as a recurring appointment. Treat these writing sessions as important meetings, and don’t cancel on yourself.
- Optimize Your Lab Space for Growth: If you have the opportunity to create or renovate a new lab space, design your lab with the future in mind. Think about how your research might evolve over the next decade and ensure your space can accommodate new equipment, personnel, and projects. Organizing the layout for efficiency and flexibility now will prevent logistical challenges down the line. Take the time to visit different lab spaces to learn what works well and what to consider when you’re making the asks for new space!
- Take Time to Develop as a Mentor: Transitioning from student to post doc to faculty can be overwhelming and leave you feeling like an imposter at times. Reach out to YOUR own mentors for support in navigating these new situations and look for opportunities to develop your own skills and leadership styles. I recently completed a program that was NIH funded and focused on helping scientists lead their labs. It was completely free and I learned so much – I wish I had take it at the beginning of my faculty career. There were also a lot of postdocs in the program, so it’s never too early! If you’re interested in applying for this program, applications are due January 5, 2025.
Starting a faculty position and setting up a lab are monumental steps. With thoughtful planning, intentionality, and a willingness to learn from others, you can build a thriving lab and create a strong foundation for your academic career. Above all, remember to give yourself grace as you embark on this exciting journey—success doesn’t happen overnight, but every step forward matters!
EVENT RECAP
Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) International Donor Milk Conference
BY JONATHAN SEIGEL, MD, MMCI
Neonatologist, WakeMed Health and Hospitals
Associate Chief Medical Information Officer
[email protected]
The Human Milk Banking Association of North America (HMBANA) International Donor Milk Conference was held April 15-16 in Austin, Texas. The 2-day conference featured a variety of speakers including basic scientists, clinicians, public policy experts, milk bank specialists, and lactation professionals.
A multitude of topics related to donor human milk were discussed including breastfeeding epidemiology, human milk use in the neonatal intensive care unit, neonatal outcomes, human milk composition, impact of storage/processing/pasteurization on milk composition, human milk banking around the world, food safety, and inequities.
Many presenters at the conference are active participants in ISRHML. Maryanne Perrin presented data from a global donor milk study related to milk composition in her talk entitled “Is It Time for Nutritional Standards for Donor Milk? Evidence on Outcomes and Production Considerations.” Sarah Taylor discussed the evidence for fortification of human milk in the preterm population in the neonatal intensive care in her talked “Fortification of Human Milk.” Kimberly Mansen discussed patient centered care and milk banking systems in her talks “Essential Digital Health Building Blocks for Patient- centered Care: The Role of Human Milk Banking Systems in the Broader Neonatal Context” and “Developing Global Guidelines for Human Milk Banking: Status Report on the WHO Process.” Lars Bode spoke on HMOs in his talk entitled “HMO and Justifying Multi-Donor Pooling.”
The HMBANA International Donor Milk biennial conference was an educational, innovative, multidisciplinary conference that includes topics of interest to basic scientists, translational researchers, clinicians, and lactation professionals.
Call For Award Nominations
The ISRHML Executive Committee is pleased to announce a new ISRHML award established in memory of the late Professor Peter Hartmann. Dr. Hartmann made a profound and lasting impact on the field of human milk and lactation research through his pioneering research, dedicated mentorship, and influential leadership within ISRHML.
This award, the Peter Hartmann Mid-Career Award, seeks to recognize a mid-career member of ISRHML who has demonstrated an exemplary record of research and mentorship in the field of human milk and lactation research. The award will be presented at the 22nd ISRHML Conference being held in Charleston, SC, on December 9- 13, 2024.
Nominations are due by 11:59 pm Pacific time on November 30, 2024. Please share broadly to your colleagues and through your network. For more details about the award and on the nomination process, please click here.
UPCOMING ISRHML Elections
Are you interested in being a part of the leadership in ISRHML? There are 3 positions for the ISRHML Executive committee and the Treasurer’s position that will be up for election in January 2025. Councilors collectively represent the following disciplines: anthropology, bioactive factors in milk, epidemiology, immunology, lactation physiology, mammary gland biology, nutrition, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology. The Executive committee has general responsibility for the affairs of the Society. Terms for newly elected councilors will begin on April 1, 2025, and serve until March 31, 2028, for a total of three years.
Interested individuals who have full membership and are in good standing with the Society should email a short bio and a short description for the position they are interested in and why they are interested in serving to [email protected].
EDITORS:
Carrie-Ellen Briere, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Elaine Marieb College of Nursing
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Nurse Scientist, Connecticut Children’s
Adrianna Greco, PhD student, MSc, RD
PhD Student – Lamers Lab
Food, Nutrition and Health Program
University of British Columbia
Want to join our team of Newsletter Writers?!
We are looking for ALL levels of career (student and beyond!)
Email:
Carrie-Ellen ([email protected])
& Adrianna ([email protected])