Submitted by D.P. Juan on Mon, 04/12/2023 - 10:03
We proudly announce that Alecia-Jane Twigger, a Research Associate working with Walid Khaled has been awarded a UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship. The award offers a minimum of 4 years of full funding (with an optional 3 years’ further funding) to Dr Twigger to start her research group at the Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge. The group will focus on uncovering more about the biology behind how breastfeeding works and the impact this has on the future health and welfare of the mother and child.
Breastfeeding has been highlighted by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “one of the most effective ways to ensure child health and survival”. A major priority of the WHO is to increase the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months up to at least 50% by 2025. However, many mothers worry about low milk production – a major driver for mothers switching to formula feeding. With funding provided by the UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship, Dr Twigger will establish state-of-the-art models of lactation to develop and trial treatments to support low-milk production mothers in partnership with breastfeeding advocates and clinical stakeholders.
This award adds to Dr Twigger’s previous work, which has already attracted national attention. Her work has been showcased by features in The Guardian, BBC Look East television program, the Naked Scientist podcast and the Cambridge Alumni Festival 2022.
To celebrate the wider Future Leaders cohort UKRI Chief Executive, Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser, said:
“UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships provide researchers and innovators with long-term support and training, giving them the freedom to explore adventurous new ideas, and to build dynamic careers that break down the boundaries between sectors and disciplines.
The fellows announced today illustrate how this scheme empowers talented researchers and innovators to build the diverse and connected research and innovation system we need to shorten the distance between discovery and prosperity across the UK.”