​​The CIFAR Humans & the Microbiome (HMB) group, including Dr. Azad  published a paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) about the microbial fallout that may follow in the pandemic’s wake. Lead author, Dr. Finlay provides commentary in the NYT article "Can We Learn to Live With Germs Again?" that was inspired by their paper: “We’re starting to realize that there’s collateral damage when we get rid of good microbes, and that has major consequences for our health." 

Azad Lab Trainee, Sarah Turner (ISRHML Trainee Mentorship Series Coordinator) brought together 4 experts (Drs. Berthold Koletzko, Deborah O'Connor, Natalie Shenker, and Nathan Nickel) in the field of human milk and lactation to discuss different ethical perspectives of engaging with industry and research. Each panelist spoke about their own experiences navigating ethical issues in human milk research, advice for trainees, and how to move the field forward to support mothers and help all babies to have the best start to life. ISRHML members can view the recording here.

Azad Lab Trainee, Dr. Kozeta Miliku and co-authors published "Sex‐specific associations of human milk long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and infant allergic conditions" in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology.  They found that in female infants, a higher ratio of arachidonic acid (ARA) to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may reduce the risk of food sensitization and atopic dermatitis. These associations were not found in boys.