Breakthrough to Boost Breastfeeding Success
By Office of the President | Oct 7, 2025
Congratulations to Thomas Wallach, M.D., Assistant Professor, Research Director, and Chief of Pediatric Gastroenterology, and Suzanna L. Attia, M.D., Kentucky Children’s Hospital, on their $2.5 million NIH R01 Research Project Grant to lead a Brooklyn-based clinical trial testing the potential of Moringa Oleifera to support mothers and infants worldwide. Downstate will receive $894,000 of the award, and Dr. Wallach and his team will conduct the trial on campus.
Drs. Wallach and Attia will direct the MiLC (Moringa in Lactation and Child Health) study, which aims to investigate whether Moringa, often referred to as the “miracle tree,” can enhance breastfeeding outcomes. Widely used across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, Moringa is a nutrient-rich plant with a long cultural history of supporting lactation and child growth.
The research will measure breast milk production and composition, duration of breastfeeding, and neonatal growth markers. If effective, the findings could point to a low-cost, culturally familiar intervention to improve breastfeeding outcomes and early childhood growth.
The potential impact will matter for underserved families in Central Brooklyn, where barriers to breastfeeding and maternal support persist, and for global communities facing malnutrition and limited maternal care.
This R01 award reflects more than individual achievement; it underscores Downstate’s sustained commitment to advancing maternal and child health. Through clinical care, community partnerships, and research, with an emphasis on our #KeepCareClose campaign, Downstate connects families to essential services, promotes breastfeeding support, and addresses health disparities and inequities.
The MiLC study will leverage #KeepCareClose outreach and partnerships to recruit participants, provide culturally responsive education, and help translate research findings into community practice.
Tags: Research