Sharon Perrella

Sharon Perrella is a Research Fellow with the University of Western Australia's School of Molecular Sciences, holding dual appointments at the UWA Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation and the Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group. Her clinical background in midwifery and neonatal intensive care nursing informs her specialized research in preterm breastfeeding and milk production.

• UWA Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation
• Geddes Hartmann Human Lactation Research Group
• ABREAST Network (Co-lead for Metrics for Milk Removal Efficacy and Production)

Dr. Perrella's research expertise spans human lactation, preterm infant feeding, biochemical markers of milk supply, and evidence-based lactation care strategies. Her work focuses on identifying women at risk of reduced breastfeeding duration and implementing clinical interventions to support continued breastfeeding, particularly for mothers of preterm infants and those with gestational diabetes.

Her publications demonstrate consistent contributions to understanding breastfeeding challenges, milk composition, and infant outcomes, with research covering gestational diabetes impacts, multiple birth breastfeeding experiences, oral microbiome development, and food allergen transmission through breastmilk.

• 718 citations with h-index of 16
• 61 total research outputs including 41 articles and 11 review articles
• 3 major research projects completed

Dr. Perrella actively mentors through the Lessons in Lactation Advanced Curriculum (LILAC) Fellowship program and coordinates the CHLRT consumer advisory group. Her clinical role as a Lactation Consultant at Western Obstetrics bridges her research with practical clinical application. She has secured funding from Medela AG (2014-present), Stan Perron Charitable Foundation, and Telethon Channel 7 Research for projects including Breast Milk Collection for the Largest Birth Cohort in Australia and research on Human Milk and the Preterm Infant.