Rate My Professor Sharon Ladyman

Ladyman's research investigates hormone-induced adaptations in the maternal brain, particularly the neuro-hormonal circuits that regulate hyperphagia, glucose homeostasis, suppression of voluntary physical activity, thermoregulation, and long-term metabolic health during pregnancy and lactation. Utilizing transgenic mouse models, her studies elucidate prolactin and leptin signaling in neuronal function and behavioral outcomes. She has secured major funding, including a prestigious Marsden Fund grant of $939,000 from the Royal Society Te Apārangi in 2022 for her project "Neurons to keep mums cool," which explores prolactin's role in enhancing thermoregulatory responses to support healthy pregnancy. Her influential publications include "Prolactin modulation of thermoregulatory circuits provides resilience to thermal challenge of pregnancy" (Cell Reports, 2025), "Prolactin mediates a lactation-induced suppression of arcuate kisspeptin neuronal activity necessary for lactational infertility in mice" (eLife, 2025), "A reduction in voluntary physical activity in early pregnancy in mice is mediated by prolactin" (eLife, 2021), "Central actions of insulin during pregnancy and lactation" (Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 2021), and "Impact of Pregnancy and Lactation on the Long-Term Consequences of Energy Restriction on Metabolism and Reproduction" (Endocrinology, 2018). With over 2,200 citations across 54 publications, her work significantly advances understanding of maternal physiological adaptations and their implications for metabolic health.