Congratulations to Juan Ferreira, PhD, postdoctoral research associate in the lab of Celia Santi, MD, PhD, for recently receiving a prestigious NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) for his project titled “Milk Excretion and Myoepithelial Cell Contractility: Modulation by the Na+-activated K+ Channels, SLO2.1.” His research is being funded by the NIH/Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development beginning June 2026.
Dr. Ferreira’s project addresses a key gap in our understanding of mammary gland excitability and milk ejection during breastfeeding. These findings may inform future therapeutic strategies to support lactating mothers, improve breastfeeding success, and enhance maternal and infant health outcomes.
“Receiving the NIH Pathway to Independence Award is an incredible honor and a deeply meaningful milestone in my scientific career,” said Dr. Ferreira. “As an electrophysiologist working in reproductive biology, with a background in sperm physiology and uterine contractility, this award represents an important step toward my goal of establishing an independent research program focused on the physiology of multiple reproductive systems. It will allow me to expand my expertise into mammary gland physiology, an understudied area with profound relevance for breastfeeding mothers, infants, and families. By better understanding the cellular mechanisms that regulate milk ejection, I hope our work will ultimately contribute to improved strategies that support lactation and maternal-infant health.
“I am especially grateful for the extraordinary mentorship of Dr. Celia M. Santi, whose guidance has been essential to my development as a scientist, as well as for the support of my mentors Dr. Jenifer Monks, Dr. Sarah K. England, Dr. Jeanne M. Nerbonne, and Dr. Ron Bose. I am also thankful for the support of our department and for the invaluable guidance of our Senior Scientific Editor, Dr. Deborah Frank.
“I am excited about moving this work forward and contributing to discoveries that may ultimately make a meaningful difference for mothers, infants, and families.”