UNM Health Sciences announced that Dr. Katie Kivlighan, an assistant professor at the UNM College of Nursing, has received a sub-award as part of a federal R01 research grant. The study, funded by the federal government, aims to enhance understanding of lactation issues and provide culturally appropriate lactation assistance within the diverse communities of New Mexico.
According to UNM Health Sciences, breastfeeding or body feeding is an important goal for many new parents, but it can feel challenging when difficulties arise. Dr. Katie Kivlighan's research is conducted at various locations, including her laboratory at the UNM College of Nursing in Albuquerque, the UNM Clinical and Translational Sciences Center, UNM-affiliated clinics, and participants' homes.
To ensure equitable lactation counseling and care, Dr. Kivlighan will allocate grant funds to facilitate culturally appropriate lactation support provided by specialists from New Mexico's diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. The goal of her research is to advance the understanding of the human mammary gland, explore the challenges faced by lactating individuals in milk production, and contribute to the development of accessible and culturally relevant lactation counseling for diverse communities.
Dr. Kivlighan emphasized the importance of flexibility in her research, stating, "The flexibility to operate in a lab and in our participants' homes is very helpful for the lactating person's comfort and convenience. Being able to meet them in their own environment builds trust, ensures more accurate data collection, and enables more effective lactation support."
UNM Health Sciences strives to become a Nursing Research Intensive College and is unique as the state's sole Carnegie R1 university. The research conducted at UNM College of Nursing adopts a holistic nursing perspective, focusing on areas such as acute care, chronic illnesses, and health promotion. The college emphasizes research in areas such as Rural Health and Health Equity, Bio-behavioral Health, Oncology and Toxicology Nursing, Disaster and Public Health Emergencies, Genomics, Self-Management, Patient Adherence, eHealth, Health Services, Policy Research, and Military and Veteran Health.
Dr. Katie Kivlighan's research grant will contribute to the overall mission of UNM College of Nursing in advancing nursing research and improving health outcomes for diverse communities.