22nd ISRHML Agenda

Monday, December 9, 2024

Optional Workshops 1 & 2 (Stay tuned for more information)

Welcome Reception (time TBD)

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

8:00am Welcome Address

8:30 Macy-Gyorgy Award Announcement and Recipient Lecture

10:00 Break - Discussions and Networking

10:30 Session 1: Updates on the Immunology of Human Milk
Acute viral infections such as SARS-2-CoV and maternal response manifested in human milk;
Impact of breastfeeding on reducing the risk of infections, allergies, and autoimmune diseases in infants;
Oral presentations based on abstracts

12:00pm Lunch provided

1:00 Session 2: The Impact of Maternal Condition on Lactation
Exploration of the metabolic demands of lactation and its potential implications for maternal health, both short-term and long-term; Breastfeeding's impact on maternal weight loss, postpartum metabolic changes, and long-term health outcomes; Impact of maternal obesity and type 2 diabetes on initial and sustained lactation; Maternal higher BMI and its effects on lactation initiation and sustained lactation; Maternal diabetes (gestational, type 1 and type 2) - differences in milk production, composition, and immune markers; Insights into impaired lactation and potential interventions - Four 15-min oral presentations from abstracts; Oral presentations based on abstracts

3:00 Break - Discussions and Networking

3:30 Session 3: Maternal Impact on Short- and Long-term Infant Health
Studies on how human milk composition is associated with the development of the infant microbiomes (oral and gastrointestinal); Differences between term and preterm infants; Role of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in shaping gut microbial composition and function; Human milk proteins and peptides - potential impacts on infant health; Oral presentations based on abstracts

5:45 Poster Symposium 1

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

8:00am Session 4: Human Milk as a Biological System
Intro to BEGIN; Updates from NIH

10:00 Break - Discussions and Networking

10:30 Session 5: Public Health Interventions and Economics of Breastfeeding Around the World
Policy initiatives to promote breastfeeding, including maternity leave policies and workplace accommodations; Public health and healthcare system interventions to increase breastfeeding; Interventions to improve equity and inclusion in breastfeeding interventions; Economic evaluations of interventions to increase breastfeeding exclusivity and duration; Oral presentations based on abstracts

12:00pm Lunch/TIG Professional Development Panel

1:30 Session 6: Genomics, Epigenetics and Transcriptomics of Human Milk
Host genetic and epigenetic factors related to regulation of human milk composition; Transcriptomics of the mammary gland; Epigenetic studies examining how breastfeeding can influence gene expression and long-term health outcomes in offspring; The interplay between genetics, breastfeeding, and epigenetic modifications; Oral presentations based on abstracts

3:00 Break - Discussions and Networking

3:30 Session 7: Breastfeeding and Chronic Disease Prevention
What are the potential protective long-term effects of breastfeeding against chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases; Mechanisms through which breastfeeding may confer long-term health benefits; Later in Life: Life-expectancy of those who breastfeed, partially breastfeed vs. those who do not around the globe: is there a threshold in duration of Breastfeeding; 
Oral presentations based on abstracts

5:00 Annual General Membership Meeting

6:00 Poster Session 2

Thursday, December 12, 2024

8:00am Session 8: Impact of Climate and Environment on Lactating Parent/Human Milk/Infant Triad
Impacts of climate on milk production and composition in dairy animals; Positive effects of breastfeeding on climate; Potential impact of climate and environment on lactation and milk composition in humans; Oral presentations based on abstracts

10:00 Break - Discussions and Networking

10:30 Session 9: Innovations in Breastfeeding Support
Advances in breastfeeding technologies, such as wearable breast pumps and lactation apps; Benefits and limitations of milk analyses in prescribing fortification for the preterm and high-risk infant with growth and developmental issues; Telehealth and virtual lactation support services; Oral presentations based on abstracts

12:00pm Lunch/Meet the Experts

1:00 Afternoon free to explore Charleston

6:00 ISRHML Gala Event (Dinner, Awards, Networking)

Friday, December 13, 2024

8:30am Hot Topics & Breaking Research
Presentations chosen from abstracts reviewed by the Scientific Planning Committee

10:00 Break - Discussions and Networking

10:30 DEI: Insights From Ongoing Studies Around the Globe
Influences on norms, beliefs, fears, desires related to practices: intersectionality, history, trauma; Workplace, commercial and social media challenges; Opportunities and strategies for addressing structural barriers to breastfeeding equity; Future-proofing breastfeeding and human milk feeding; Oral presentations based on abstracts

11:30 The Mothers, Infants, and Lactation Quality (MILQ) Study: A Multi-Center Collaboration

12:15pm Wrap-up with Box Lunch

12:45 Adjourn