Laura Hernandez

Laura Hernandez is a Professor of Lactation Physiology in the Department of Medicine and Affiliate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her research focuses on mammary gland biology and lactation, particularly serotonin's role in mammary gland development, calcium homeostasis, and glucose metabolism during pregnancy and lactation periods.

Research interests include: serotonin regulation of mammary development; calcium dynamics during lactation; metabolic adaptations in peripartum mammals; and impacts of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on maternal physiology.

Dr. Hernandez utilizes bovine, murine, and ovine models combined with molecular techniques to study mammary physiology. Recent work investigates serotonin's role in bridging mammary gland function with systemic mineral metabolism.

She mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in lactation biology and reproductive physiology.