Personal profile
Biography
Sharon Perrella is a Research Fellow with the UWA Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation, and the Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group. With a clinical background in midwifery and neonatal intensive care nursing, Sharon has a special interest in preterm breastfeeding and milk production. Her current work focuses on the identification and management of women at risk of reduced breastfeeding duration, and the implementation of evidence-based clinical lactation care strategies to support continued breastfeeding.
Roles and responsibilities
Research Fellow - UWA Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation.
Research Fellow - Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Researh Group
Co-lead - Metrics for Milk Removal Efficacy and Production, ABREAST Network
Lactation Consultant - Western Obstetrics
Funding overview
2014 - Present: Medela AG - Research Fellow
Stan Perron Charitable Foundation
Telethon Channel 7
Research
Infant feeding and growth outcomes after pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes; monitoring of human milk sodium and mastitis after preterm birth; maternal experiences of breastfeeding establishment
Research interests
lactation and breastfeeding after preterm birth, biochemical markers of low milk supply, evidence-based strategies to optimise milk production
Current projects
Effect of evidence-based methods and measurement on breastfeeding duration and infant health; Optimisation of milk production after preterm birth
Community engagement
Coordinator CHLRT consumer advisory group, mentor for Lessons in Lactation Advanced Curriculum (LILAC) Fellowship program
Previous positions
Co-chair WA Breastfeeding Stakeholder Network
Education/Academic qualification
Biochemistry, PhD (distinction), The University of Western Australia
Award Date: 10 Mar 2015
Child, Adolescent & Family Health Nursing, Grad Cert Health, Flinders University
Award Date: 6 Mar 2006
MSc, Curtin University
Award Date: 23 Jul 2002
Neonatal Intensive Care, PGradDipClinNsg, Curtin University
Award Date: 20 Feb 1996
Nursing, BAppSc, Curtin University
Award Date: 23 Jul 1991
Industry keywords
- Education
- Health
- Children and Young People
- Medicine and Pharma
Research expertise keywords
- breastfeeding
- human lactation
- preterm infant
- infant nutrition, lactation, human milk, body composition
- research impact
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 4 Quality Education -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure -
SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Human milk composition is associated with maternal overweight/obesity and low milk supply, with implications for infant weight outcomes: a cross-sectional study
Jin, X., Warden, A. H., Lai, C. T., Perrella, S. L., McEachran, J. L., Taylor, N. L., Gridneva, Z. & Geddes, D. T., Jan 2026, In: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 123, 1, 101098.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Prevalence of Antenatally Identified Lactation Risk Factors and Risk of Not Fully Breastfeeding at 6 to 8 Weeks Postpartum
Perrella, S. L., Prosser, S. A., Vlaskovsky, P. & Geddes, D. T., 1 Jan 2026, In: Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health. 71, 1, p. 17-25 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Breastfeeding after gestational diabetes mellitus: maternal, milk and infant outcomes
Geddes, D. T., Gridneva, Z. & Perrella, S. L., May 2025, In: Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 28, 3, p. 257-262 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Breastfeeding Experiences in Australian Mothers of Multiple Birth Infants
Gama, M. A., McEachran, J. L., Warden, A. H., Ireland, D. J., Geddes, D. T., Perrella, S. L. & Gridneva, Z., 14 May 2025, In: Nutrients. 17, 10, 20 p., 1669.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Breastfeeding patterns and total volume of human milk consumed influence the development of the infant oral microbiome
Arishi, R. A., Gridneva, Z., Perrella, S. L., Cheema, A. S., Lai, C. T., Payne, M. S., Geddes, D. T. & Stinson, L. F., 25 Feb 2025, In: Journal of Oral Microbiology. 17, 1, 9 p., 2469892.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)
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Breast milk-fed babies and food allergies: a qualitative study
Perrella, S. (Investigator 02) & Geddes, D. (Investigator 04)
NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council
4/08/25 → 30/06/28
Project: Research
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Breast Milk Collection for the Largest Birth Cohort in Australia
Geddes, D. (Chief Investigator), Gridneva, Z. (Investigator), Lai, C. T. (Investigator), Mangwiro, Y. (Investigator), Perrella, S. (Investigator), Saffery, R. (Investigator), Stinson, L. (Investigator), Wake, M. (Investigator), Wlodek, M. (Investigator), Gridneva, Z. (CoPI), Lai, C. T. (CoPI), Perrella, S. (CoPI) & Stinson, L. (CoPI)
The University of Western Australia
1/07/22 → 31/12/22
Project: Research
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An evidence based intervention to increase breastfeeding and infant health
Geddes, D. (Investigator 01), Nicol, M. (Investigator 02), Wlodek, M. (Investigator 03), Perrella, S. (Investigator 04) & Prosser, S. (Investigator 05)
1/01/21 → 31/12/21
Project: Research
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