Abstract
Countless low birth weight infants survive each year thanks in large part to the research and practice of Dr. Ruth A. Lawrence. Her research on the dynamic relationship between human milk and the developing brain, as well as other interests related to clinical toxicology, breastfeeding, and human lactation set important foundations in health care. Her career highlighted emerging research on breastfeeding and human lactation to facilitate a greater understanding of the topic for both health care professionals and the public.
As such, in 2016, to honor Dr. Lawrence’s contributions and dedication to research, the Ruth A. Lawrence Investigator Award was established. The award is presented to recognize medical fellows or postdoctoral scholars for their research in the science of human milk through original research.
Presented as a part of the International Conference on Human Milk Science and Innovation, sponsored by Prolacta Bioscience, the 2024 award was presented to Dr. Yarden Golan Maor for her research, titled “Milk Antibody Response After 3rd COVID-19 Vaccine and SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Implications for Infant Protection.”
Her research analyzed antibodies in breast milk following vaccination and breakthrough infection, demonstrating that anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persisted in breast milk for up to 8 months. Infant saliva also contained more abundant immunoglobulin A (IgA) from breast milk than immunoglobulin G (IgG), and IgA persisted longer postfeeding.
Dr. Golan’s research highlights antibody transfer to infants through breastfeeding, strengthening the understanding of breast milk’s role against infectious diseases.
“COVID-19 continues to impact our lives, and I was intrigued by the role that human milk could play in protecting infants from this infectious disease,” said Dr. Golan. “It was an honor to receive this award, and I look forward to advancing our knowledge of human milk through future research.”
Since conducting this study, Dr. Golan received a K99/R00 fellowship from the National Institute of Health to continue her research on human milk production. She is also at the K99 phase through her role as a research associate at Cornell University.
This is just one example of the spirit of research and furthering the understanding of human milk in honor of Dr. Lawrence.
Dr. Golan was the fifth recipient of the Ruth A. Lawrence Investigator Award for Research in Human Milk Science. Previous recipients were:
• Transcriptional Changes in Mammary Gland During Lactation Revealed by Single Cell Sequencing of Cells from Human Milk
• Lactation Strategies Through Mother Infant Signaling: Psychological and Physiological Aspects
• Human Milk Oligosaccharides Exhibit Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Properties Against Group B Streptococcus
• Breast Milk Consumption in Preterm Neonates and Cardiac Shape in Adulthood
Every recipient of the Ruth A. Lawrence Investigator Award continues to increase the understanding of human milk and its incredible potential to help patients. The legacy that Dr. Lawrence created through her research and improving infant wellbeing will last many lifetimes.