Professor and Chief Investigator, Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group

I am nothing if not obsessive. When I have a problem, I will search high and low, constantly, perhaps to an insane extent to try to understand and solve the problem. Donna Geddes came to my attention during such a period in my life when I was struggling with breastfeeding and breastmilk production, trying to learn anything that was based on science that could help me make good decisions and answer the grueling questions I kept posing to myself that churned up feelings of self-loathing and inadequacy.

Donna became a beacon of hope in my world. As I read more about the work she led, I thought that maybe the information she and her team were uncovering would someday be developed and widespread enough to provide new moms (like me!) that were navigating breastfeeding challenges with legitimate, scientific information.

She and her team are pioneering research in human lactation—she was the first in over 150 years to study the anatomy of the lactating woman’s breast! Donna specializes in medical imaging and pioneered using ultrasound to see the true anatomy of the lactating breast, visualizing milk ejection with ducts open and milk flowing. So far, her research has overturned much of what we thought we knew about glandular tissue, milk ducts, how milk is stored in the breast, and harm that can be caused by breast augmentation. Unfortunately, much of this information still has not permeated most institutions.

Donna is a serious badass that leads the Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group at the University of Western Australia in Perth. She and her team are developing measurements of lactation and breastfeeding. Her research is largely sponsored by breast pump market leader, Medela, who uses this information to better educate women and improve their products. It was Donna that discovered that creating a vacuum is essential for an infant to successfully remove milk during breastfeeding. Seriously, the list of this woman’s discoveries and contributions to a very under-represented area of scientific research is incredible. I may be a Donna Geddes “fangirl.”

And now, with the founding of Leva, Donna’s research is a massive inspiration for us. As Donna puts it, “Studying women and babies struggling to breastfeed has perhaps impacted me the most. I firmly believe that our research can assist in understanding some of the causes of breastfeeding problems and also allow us to design good solutions for mothers and babies.”

Powerful Quote by a Powerful Woman

-Dr. Donna Geddes