Elaine Sha, MPH, RD, IBCLC, is a Ph.D. student concentrating in Human and Molecular Nutrition under the mentorship of Dr. Yarden Golan Maor. Her research focuses on identifying the psychosocial, physiological, and pharmacological factors that influence human milk production and composition.

Prior to pursuing her doctoral training, Elaine spent three years working as an adult and pediatric dietitian. This experience shaped her commitment to addressing persistent misconceptions and knowledge gaps in nutrition and breastfeeding and ultimately inspired her return to academia to pursue research that can strengthen the evidence base for nutrition and lactation recommendations. Her overarching goal is to generate impactful evidence that advances nutrition and breastfeeding practice, informs public health policy and guidelines, and ultimately improves health outcomes for mothers, infants, and families worldwide.

Human milk composition and analysis; effects of galactagogue and breast pump use on secretory activation and milk production; subclinical mastitis

M.P.H./R.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill