Meghan Azad, PhD
@meghanazad.bsky.social
Scientist/Adventurer. @CRC_CRC Developmental Origins of Health & Disease. @UManitoba @CHRIManitoba @CHILDStudy #THRiVElab #Breastmilk #Microbiome #NatureSelfies
www.thrivediscovery.ca
www.thrivediscovery.ca
Highlight of my visit!
October 15, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Highlight of my visit!
Intriguing New Research on Milk Stem Cells:
In mice, stem cells from maternal milk can migrate to pups’ brains, where they appear to integrate and differentiate after an ischemic (stroke-like) injury.
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
In mice, stem cells from maternal milk can migrate to pups’ brains, where they appear to integrate and differentiate after an ischemic (stroke-like) injury.
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
October 13, 2025 at 2:08 PM
Intriguing New Research on Milk Stem Cells:
In mice, stem cells from maternal milk can migrate to pups’ brains, where they appear to integrate and differentiate after an ischemic (stroke-like) injury.
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
In mice, stem cells from maternal milk can migrate to pups’ brains, where they appear to integrate and differentiate after an ischemic (stroke-like) injury.
doi.org/10.1038/s415...
In love with my first commissioned art piece! 😍🦠🧪
I've had the breast for a while. My new office configuration was begging for a 'companion' so I checked out the artist's other pieces - all gorgeous, but none quite right (though if you study the brain, heart, gut, spine... you are in luck!)
...
I've had the breast for a while. My new office configuration was begging for a 'companion' so I checked out the artist's other pieces - all gorgeous, but none quite right (though if you study the brain, heart, gut, spine... you are in luck!)
...
October 10, 2025 at 3:14 AM
In love with my first commissioned art piece! 😍🦠🧪
I've had the breast for a while. My new office configuration was begging for a 'companion' so I checked out the artist's other pieces - all gorgeous, but none quite right (though if you study the brain, heart, gut, spine... you are in luck!)
...
I've had the breast for a while. My new office configuration was begging for a 'companion' so I checked out the artist's other pieces - all gorgeous, but none quite right (though if you study the brain, heart, gut, spine... you are in luck!)
...
Big thanks to our amazing team, spanning many institutions!
@umanitoba.bsky.social
@ualberta.bsky.social
@sickkidsvs.bsky.social
@chrimanitoba.bsky.social
@um-mchp.bsky.social @ucsandiego.bsky.social @humanmilkinstitute.bsky.social
+ funders CIHR & @researchmb.bsky.social
#TeamScience!
@umanitoba.bsky.social
@ualberta.bsky.social
@sickkidsvs.bsky.social
@chrimanitoba.bsky.social
@um-mchp.bsky.social @ucsandiego.bsky.social @humanmilkinstitute.bsky.social
+ funders CIHR & @researchmb.bsky.social
#TeamScience!
October 2, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Big thanks to our amazing team, spanning many institutions!
@umanitoba.bsky.social
@ualberta.bsky.social
@sickkidsvs.bsky.social
@chrimanitoba.bsky.social
@um-mchp.bsky.social @ucsandiego.bsky.social @humanmilkinstitute.bsky.social
+ funders CIHR & @researchmb.bsky.social
#TeamScience!
@umanitoba.bsky.social
@ualberta.bsky.social
@sickkidsvs.bsky.social
@chrimanitoba.bsky.social
@um-mchp.bsky.social @ucsandiego.bsky.social @humanmilkinstitute.bsky.social
+ funders CIHR & @researchmb.bsky.social
#TeamScience!
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex sugars shaped by maternal genetics (secretor status)
We found:
🤔 Higher DSLNT → linked to lower motor scores at 1 yr
🧬 Secretor status ✨changed✨ some HMO associations with language & motor development
We found:
🤔 Higher DSLNT → linked to lower motor scores at 1 yr
🧬 Secretor status ✨changed✨ some HMO associations with language & motor development
October 2, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are complex sugars shaped by maternal genetics (secretor status)
We found:
🤔 Higher DSLNT → linked to lower motor scores at 1 yr
🧬 Secretor status ✨changed✨ some HMO associations with language & motor development
We found:
🤔 Higher DSLNT → linked to lower motor scores at 1 yr
🧬 Secretor status ✨changed✨ some HMO associations with language & motor development
Fatty acids (FAs) are the building blocks of milk fat, important for brain development 🧠
We found:
🥑 Saturated FAs → positive link with motor skills at 1 year
🐟 Polyunsaturated n-3 & n-6 FAs → surprising negative link with cognition & motor skills
We found:
🥑 Saturated FAs → positive link with motor skills at 1 year
🐟 Polyunsaturated n-3 & n-6 FAs → surprising negative link with cognition & motor skills
October 2, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Fatty acids (FAs) are the building blocks of milk fat, important for brain development 🧠
We found:
🥑 Saturated FAs → positive link with motor skills at 1 year
🐟 Polyunsaturated n-3 & n-6 FAs → surprising negative link with cognition & motor skills
We found:
🥑 Saturated FAs → positive link with motor skills at 1 year
🐟 Polyunsaturated n-3 & n-6 FAs → surprising negative link with cognition & motor skills
🚨 New #THRiVElab paper!🚨
(Just in time for #NationalBreastfeedingWeek 🍁🤱🏽 )
Led by PhD student Sarah Turner, we explored how human milk fatty acids & oligosaccharides relate to infant neurodevelopment in the @childcohortstudy.bsky.social.
🔗 www.frontiersin.org/journals/nut...
(Just in time for #NationalBreastfeedingWeek 🍁🤱🏽 )
Led by PhD student Sarah Turner, we explored how human milk fatty acids & oligosaccharides relate to infant neurodevelopment in the @childcohortstudy.bsky.social.
🔗 www.frontiersin.org/journals/nut...
October 2, 2025 at 11:24 PM
🚨 New #THRiVElab paper!🚨
(Just in time for #NationalBreastfeedingWeek 🍁🤱🏽 )
Led by PhD student Sarah Turner, we explored how human milk fatty acids & oligosaccharides relate to infant neurodevelopment in the @childcohortstudy.bsky.social.
🔗 www.frontiersin.org/journals/nut...
(Just in time for #NationalBreastfeedingWeek 🍁🤱🏽 )
Led by PhD student Sarah Turner, we explored how human milk fatty acids & oligosaccharides relate to infant neurodevelopment in the @childcohortstudy.bsky.social.
🔗 www.frontiersin.org/journals/nut...
It's #NationalBreastfeedingWeek!
Our MILC team is hosting info booths at public libraries this week in Winnipeg to celebrate.
More about MILC: www.milcresearch.com
Our MILC team is hosting info booths at public libraries this week in Winnipeg to celebrate.
More about MILC: www.milcresearch.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:42 PM
It's #NationalBreastfeedingWeek!
Our MILC team is hosting info booths at public libraries this week in Winnipeg to celebrate.
More about MILC: www.milcresearch.com
Our MILC team is hosting info booths at public libraries this week in Winnipeg to celebrate.
More about MILC: www.milcresearch.com
A Genetic Atlas of the Mammary Gland 🧬🤱🐭
New research from @geula.bsky.social & team shows shifts in gene activity across pregnancy → lactation → weaning.
This new 'atlas' provides new avenues for studying lactation disorders and breast cancer.
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
New research from @geula.bsky.social & team shows shifts in gene activity across pregnancy → lactation → weaning.
This new 'atlas' provides new avenues for studying lactation disorders and breast cancer.
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
September 23, 2025 at 4:36 AM
A Genetic Atlas of the Mammary Gland 🧬🤱🐭
New research from @geula.bsky.social & team shows shifts in gene activity across pregnancy → lactation → weaning.
This new 'atlas' provides new avenues for studying lactation disorders and breast cancer.
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
New research from @geula.bsky.social & team shows shifts in gene activity across pregnancy → lactation → weaning.
This new 'atlas' provides new avenues for studying lactation disorders and breast cancer.
academic.oup.com/nar/article/...
Today at #MILCclub we are learning from Dr. Daniel Robinson about his team's new sensor technology for measuring milk volume during #breastfeeding
🧪🤱🏾
Check out their research here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪🤱🏾
Check out their research here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
September 17, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Today at #MILCclub we are learning from Dr. Daniel Robinson about his team's new sensor technology for measuring milk volume during #breastfeeding
🧪🤱🏾
Check out their research here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
🧪🤱🏾
Check out their research here:
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Taking the stage at #AGBTPH25 this morning to propose Human Milk as Precision Health 🤱🏻🧪💫
(Following a great Women's Networking breakfast!)
(Following a great Women's Networking breakfast!)
September 10, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Taking the stage at #AGBTPH25 this morning to propose Human Milk as Precision Health 🤱🏻🧪💫
(Following a great Women's Networking breakfast!)
(Following a great Women's Networking breakfast!)
All set for tomorrow!
Happy to be joining Maria Gloria Dominguez Bello, @gilbertjacka.bsky.social, David A. Mills, Thomas Sharpton & others for the Microbiome Virtual International Forum.
Registration is 🌟free🌟 for everyone, everywhere - join us!
Happy to be joining Maria Gloria Dominguez Bello, @gilbertjacka.bsky.social, David A. Mills, Thomas Sharpton & others for the Microbiome Virtual International Forum.
Registration is 🌟free🌟 for everyone, everywhere - join us!
September 9, 2025 at 11:31 PM
All set for tomorrow!
Happy to be joining Maria Gloria Dominguez Bello, @gilbertjacka.bsky.social, David A. Mills, Thomas Sharpton & others for the Microbiome Virtual International Forum.
Registration is 🌟free🌟 for everyone, everywhere - join us!
Happy to be joining Maria Gloria Dominguez Bello, @gilbertjacka.bsky.social, David A. Mills, Thomas Sharpton & others for the Microbiome Virtual International Forum.
Registration is 🌟free🌟 for everyone, everywhere - join us!
Wrapping up an unforgettable family vacation in #Iceland
🔥🧊⛰️
Met long-lost relatives, stumbled upon the biggest cultural festival of the year, explored countless waterfalls & volcanoes, and even experienced a hurricane!
An incredible place for #NatureSelfies!
🔥🧊⛰️
Met long-lost relatives, stumbled upon the biggest cultural festival of the year, explored countless waterfalls & volcanoes, and even experienced a hurricane!
An incredible place for #NatureSelfies!
September 1, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Wrapping up an unforgettable family vacation in #Iceland
🔥🧊⛰️
Met long-lost relatives, stumbled upon the biggest cultural festival of the year, explored countless waterfalls & volcanoes, and even experienced a hurricane!
An incredible place for #NatureSelfies!
🔥🧊⛰️
Met long-lost relatives, stumbled upon the biggest cultural festival of the year, explored countless waterfalls & volcanoes, and even experienced a hurricane!
An incredible place for #NatureSelfies!
Identifying 'toxins' in breastmilk is important - but we must also consider the alternative. Many studies don't.
Here, titanium dioxide was detected in human milk (not good!)
...but was also detected, at even higher levels, in infant formula.
Context matters.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Here, titanium dioxide was detected in human milk (not good!)
...but was also detected, at even higher levels, in infant formula.
Context matters.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
August 17, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Identifying 'toxins' in breastmilk is important - but we must also consider the alternative. Many studies don't.
Here, titanium dioxide was detected in human milk (not good!)
...but was also detected, at even higher levels, in infant formula.
Context matters.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Here, titanium dioxide was detected in human milk (not good!)
...but was also detected, at even higher levels, in infant formula.
Context matters.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Mammary Glands in a Dish - what can they teach us?
Excited to meet Dr. Gat Rauner today at #MILCclub!
I found her through this post on
@theconversation.com: theconversation.com/mammary-glan...
Excited to meet Dr. Gat Rauner today at #MILCclub!
I found her through this post on
@theconversation.com: theconversation.com/mammary-glan...
August 13, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Mammary Glands in a Dish - what can they teach us?
Excited to meet Dr. Gat Rauner today at #MILCclub!
I found her through this post on
@theconversation.com: theconversation.com/mammary-glan...
Excited to meet Dr. Gat Rauner today at #MILCclub!
I found her through this post on
@theconversation.com: theconversation.com/mammary-glan...
A #NatureSelfie from my happy place 🏔️😊
August 11, 2025 at 10:49 PM
A #NatureSelfie from my happy place 🏔️😊
Should I eat this egg? 🤔
August 8, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Should I eat this egg? 🤔
Not All On Mom:
Breastfeeding requires support from many levels
Great article & graphic from @unicef.org:
www.unicef.org/rosa/blog/br...
#WorldBreastfeedingWeek #WBW2025
Breastfeeding requires support from many levels
Great article & graphic from @unicef.org:
www.unicef.org/rosa/blog/br...
#WorldBreastfeedingWeek #WBW2025
August 7, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Not All On Mom:
Breastfeeding requires support from many levels
Great article & graphic from @unicef.org:
www.unicef.org/rosa/blog/br...
#WorldBreastfeedingWeek #WBW2025
Breastfeeding requires support from many levels
Great article & graphic from @unicef.org:
www.unicef.org/rosa/blog/br...
#WorldBreastfeedingWeek #WBW2025
Reflection Week off to a good start. 🏔🧘♀️🌤
#NatureSelfie
#NatureSelfie
August 7, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Reflection Week off to a good start. 🏔🧘♀️🌤
#NatureSelfie
#NatureSelfie
"Why are you guys necessary and why does breastfeeding need support?"
- one of many Q's from our Reddit AMA.
Others:
❓ Can grandmothers relactate?
❓ How does the breast know to customize the milk?
❓ How important is the "breast crawl"?
Our A's to these & many more: www.reddit.com/r/askscience...
- one of many Q's from our Reddit AMA.
Others:
❓ Can grandmothers relactate?
❓ How does the breast know to customize the milk?
❓ How important is the "breast crawl"?
Our A's to these & many more: www.reddit.com/r/askscience...
August 2, 2025 at 2:37 PM
"Why are you guys necessary and why does breastfeeding need support?"
- one of many Q's from our Reddit AMA.
Others:
❓ Can grandmothers relactate?
❓ How does the breast know to customize the milk?
❓ How important is the "breast crawl"?
Our A's to these & many more: www.reddit.com/r/askscience...
- one of many Q's from our Reddit AMA.
Others:
❓ Can grandmothers relactate?
❓ How does the breast know to customize the milk?
❓ How important is the "breast crawl"?
Our A's to these & many more: www.reddit.com/r/askscience...
Happy #WorldBreastfeedingWeek! 🤱🏻🤱🏽🤱🤱🏿
We are celebrating by hosting a live Q&A ("Ask Me Anything") on Reddit.
📆 TODAY: 12-5PM EST 📆
Our panel includes experts in:
Anthropology
Biochemistry
Immunology
Medicine
Nursing
& more!
Join us at: www.reddit.com/r/askscience...
#WBW2025 🧪🛟 #MedSky #MCH
We are celebrating by hosting a live Q&A ("Ask Me Anything") on Reddit.
📆 TODAY: 12-5PM EST 📆
Our panel includes experts in:
Anthropology
Biochemistry
Immunology
Medicine
Nursing
& more!
Join us at: www.reddit.com/r/askscience...
#WBW2025 🧪🛟 #MedSky #MCH
August 1, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Happy #WorldBreastfeedingWeek! 🤱🏻🤱🏽🤱🤱🏿
We are celebrating by hosting a live Q&A ("Ask Me Anything") on Reddit.
📆 TODAY: 12-5PM EST 📆
Our panel includes experts in:
Anthropology
Biochemistry
Immunology
Medicine
Nursing
& more!
Join us at: www.reddit.com/r/askscience...
#WBW2025 🧪🛟 #MedSky #MCH
We are celebrating by hosting a live Q&A ("Ask Me Anything") on Reddit.
📆 TODAY: 12-5PM EST 📆
Our panel includes experts in:
Anthropology
Biochemistry
Immunology
Medicine
Nursing
& more!
Join us at: www.reddit.com/r/askscience...
#WBW2025 🧪🛟 #MedSky #MCH
📢 We’re hiring a Lab Manager for the MILC Biorepository!
Join our #THRiVElab team to advance science on #breastfeeding and #humanmilk.
📍 In person, full-time in Winnipeg
💵 $51K–$74K + benefits
🧪 5+ yrs experience
🔗 Apply: viprecprod.ad.umanitoba.ca – #39591
Pls share! 💫
#JobAlert #ScienceJobs
Join our #THRiVElab team to advance science on #breastfeeding and #humanmilk.
📍 In person, full-time in Winnipeg
💵 $51K–$74K + benefits
🧪 5+ yrs experience
🔗 Apply: viprecprod.ad.umanitoba.ca – #39591
Pls share! 💫
#JobAlert #ScienceJobs
July 17, 2025 at 9:33 PM
📢 We’re hiring a Lab Manager for the MILC Biorepository!
Join our #THRiVElab team to advance science on #breastfeeding and #humanmilk.
📍 In person, full-time in Winnipeg
💵 $51K–$74K + benefits
🧪 5+ yrs experience
🔗 Apply: viprecprod.ad.umanitoba.ca – #39591
Pls share! 💫
#JobAlert #ScienceJobs
Join our #THRiVElab team to advance science on #breastfeeding and #humanmilk.
📍 In person, full-time in Winnipeg
💵 $51K–$74K + benefits
🧪 5+ yrs experience
🔗 Apply: viprecprod.ad.umanitoba.ca – #39591
Pls share! 💫
#JobAlert #ScienceJobs
An incredible unexpected Waterfall Adventure completes 2 fabulous days of lactation science. ❤️🤓 #NatureSelfie
July 16, 2025 at 2:36 AM
An incredible unexpected Waterfall Adventure completes 2 fabulous days of lactation science. ❤️🤓 #NatureSelfie
Excited to be at Cornell for the Lactation & Infante Feeding Workshop, enjoying two of my favourite things: cutting edge #humanmilk research + beautiful waterfalls (on campus!! what!!)
@cornellupress.bsky.social
@cornellupress.bsky.social
July 15, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Excited to be at Cornell for the Lactation & Infante Feeding Workshop, enjoying two of my favourite things: cutting edge #humanmilk research + beautiful waterfalls (on campus!! what!!)
@cornellupress.bsky.social
@cornellupress.bsky.social
Our speaker today at #MILCclub is Dr. Sue Tsai from @ualberta.bsky.social - intriguing research on the role of maternal IgA (in milk!) and how this impacts development of Type 1 Diabetes.
Results are... not what you might expect!
Check out her lab: sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/...
Results are... not what you might expect!
Check out her lab: sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/...
July 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Our speaker today at #MILCclub is Dr. Sue Tsai from @ualberta.bsky.social - intriguing research on the role of maternal IgA (in milk!) and how this impacts development of Type 1 Diabetes.
Results are... not what you might expect!
Check out her lab: sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/...
Results are... not what you might expect!
Check out her lab: sites.google.com/ualberta.ca/...