Researcher wins fellowship for breastfeeding science

When the career-altering email arrived, Liggins Institute researcher Dr Mariana Muelbert was doing the very thing she has dedicated her academic life to understanding; she was breastfeedingher two-year-old son Dom.

As she scrolled down, the University of Auckland researcher learned she had been awarded New Zealand's 2026 L'Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science Fellowship.

 It couldn’t have been more appropriate.

Muelbert focuses her work on breastfeeding, human milk and health outcomes of babies and their whanau. The award is a recognition of a career dedicated to understanding one of humanity's most fundamental – and least understood – sources of nutrition.

It also comes at a pivotal moment in her life and career, as she balances the demands of cutting-edge research with motherhood.

The fellowship, worth $25,000, supports career development for women scientists and can be used in flexible ways that help remove barriers to women’s participation in research. For Muelbert, one of the most significant benefits of the award is that she'll be able use the money to access childcare, including while attending international conferences and research visits – support that is rarely available through traditional funding.

“Returning to research after maternity leave is challenging,” she says. “As researchers, we're expected to build collaborations, present our work internationally and engage with colleagues around the world. Those opportunities are incredibly important for scientific discovery and career development, but they can be difficult to access when you have a young child.”

Muelbert’s son Dom recently turned two. She and her partner migrated from Brazil to New Zealand a decade ago and, like many migrant families, do not have extended family nearby to help with childcare. Now her partner and son will be able to travel with her.

“When you’re a parent, especially when you're still breastfeeding, long overseas trips can be very difficult,” she says. “This fellowship gives me the peace of mind that I can continue developing my career while keeping my family together.”

First up, Muelbert is keen to visit leading human milk and lactation research groups in Australia, where she can explore new techniques for analysing breastmilk composition and gain insights into buildingspecialist research centres.

Her long-term ambition is bold; establishing a dedicated human milk and lactation research centre in Auckland.

“My vision is to create a centre that combines world-class science, public health research and professional training, a place that helps us understand human milk better while also improving the support available to breastfeeding families.”

That goal is driven by a mystery that continues to fascinate her.

“Human milk is extraordinary, yet there is still so much we don't know about it.”

Muelbert’s flagship project, the ALMA Study, examines how medical interventions during pregnancy and birth affect breastfeeding outcomes, the composition of human milk, and infant health.

One area of interest is how women who have planned caesarean births begin their breastfeeding journeys.

“Labour is part of how the body prepares for lactation,” says Muelbert. “When someone has an elective caesarean birth, labour often doesn't happen, and we're trying to understand what that means for breastfeeding and how families can be better supported.”

The study also explores how antenatal steroid treatments may influence lactation. While these treatments save newborn lives, more research is needed to understand how they affect breastfeeding experiences and if parents require targeted support.

Ultimately, her research is focused on translating knowledge into practical improvements in care.

“We want women and birthing parents to receive the right support at the right time,” she says. “Breastfeeding is natural, but it isn't always easy. Better information and timely support can make a huge difference.”

Her commitment to the field is deeply personal.

Born in Canada and raised in Brazil in a family of academics, Muelbert first became interested in breastfeeding research while training as a dietitian. During a clinical placement at a hospital with a human milk bank, she saw the impact that breastfeeding support could have on families and vulnerable newborns.

Years later, becoming a mother gave her fresh insight into the realities many families face.

“My own breastfeeding journey helped me understand how different every experience can be,” she says. “It reinforced my belief that families need evidence-based support that is practical, compassionate and accessible.”

Winning the L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Fellowship is a significant recognition of that work, but Muelbert sees it primarily as an opportunity to build momentum.

Six years after completing her PhD at the University of Auckland, she is determined to strengthen New Zealand’s capability in human milk and lactation research and to ensure that mothers, babies and families benefit from the latest evidence.

“This fellowship will help me take the next step,” she says. “It gives me the opportunity to learn, collaborate and build the foundations for the future. Ultimately, I want the research we do to improve care for families across New Zealand and beyond.”

Alex Davison, L'Oréal's Australasian chief executive, says the company is committed to continuing to support the Women in Science fellowships, which are awarded each year to four female scientists in Australia and one in New Zealand.

“As we mark 20 years of this programme in Australia and New Zealand, it allows us to reflect not only on the extraordinary contributions of the nearly 100 Fellows, but also the enduring impact of their vital research."