Lakshmi Prasanna Markonda, MSN

Lakshmi Prasanna Markonda, MSN is a PhD student at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. She works under the mentorship of Dr. Diane Spatz, Professor of Perinatal Nursing, Margaret C. Souders, Associate Professor of Human Genetics Department of Biobehavioral Health Sciences, and Dr. Liu, Professor of Nursing. Markonda’s research focuses on the maternal and environmental factors that influence child health outcomes, such as behavioral disorders like neurodevelopmental disorders, and immune health including allergies and obesity. She is primarily interested in how these factors affect the bioactive components of breast milk and their influence on child health outcomes. By integrating lactation science with health economics, she aims to inform policies that promote equitable access to breastfeeding support and maternal care, ultimately contributing to better health outcomes at the population level. She holds a BSN and MSN in Pediatric Nursing, with over 12 years of academic experience in nursing schools. Originally from India, she brings a global perspective to her research, making her a potential resource for studying global health and health inequities.