Mothers’ Milk Bank California (MMBCA), a leading nonprofit milk bank, is proud to announce a groundbreaking research partnership with the esteemed Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. This collaboration will advance scientific understanding of donor human milk and its life-saving impact on medically fragile infants.
Under the leadership of Dr. Rajini Rao, Professor in the Department of Physiology at Johns Hopkins, researchers will analyze the molecular and cellular components of pasteurized donor human milk to understand its bioactive properties and their role in supporting neonatal development. The research will also explore improvements in milk processing and preservation techniques to maintain the nutritional and immunological integrity of human milk.
“We are thrilled to join forces with Johns Hopkins School of Medicine to explore the science behind donor human milk,” said Jennifer Benito-Kowalski, Chief Executive Officer of MMBCA. “Together, we aim to unlock discoveries that will improve health outcomes for infants in NICUs across the country and beyond.”
“Donor milk is more than nutrition—it’s a biologically active substance with profound potential to shape infant development,” added Dr. Rajini Rao. “This collaboration bridges science and service to improve care for our most vulnerable patients.”
As the demand for donor human milk continues to grow—driven by increasing NICU admissions and breastfeeding challenges—this partnership aims to provide the scientific evidence necessary to guide hospital protocols, inform public health policy, and expand equitable access to donor milk nationwide.
This partnership is a milestone in MMBCA’s 50-year legacy of ensuring every baby who needs human milk receives it. The research findings will guide MMBCA’s innovation strategy, clinical training programs, and advocacy efforts for decades to come.
