RACHAEL BUCK, Ph.D.

Areas of Expertise: Pediatric Nutrition, Immune Health, Digestive Health, Microbiome, Human Milk Oligosaccharides, Nucleotides, Immune-Modulating Milk Components.

Rachael Buck, PhD, is a senior research fellow at Abbott and works on the forefront of infant nutrition. As a discovery scientist in the field of immune health, Rachael studies the components of breast milk to help Abbott nutritionists develop the best infant formula possible. She helps design clinical trials to study the effects of these nutrients on infant development in the first year of life.

Rachael leads Abbott’s pioneering research program for human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). HMOs are beneficial prebiotics found in breast milk that help support immune and gut health. Clinical research on HMOs has demonstrated improved immunity benefits similar to those experienced by breastfed infants. 

Rachael joined Abbott in 1995, and over her career has received numerous prestigious awards for her research on nucleotides, pediatric immunity, and HMOs. She was also named a senior research fellow at Abbott for her pioneering work. She has authored more than 50 publications and has over 120 granted patents. She is a fellow of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering and is a member of the American Association of Immunologists. Rachael received her doctorate in immunology from the University of Cambridge, U.K. and bachelor’s degree (1st Class Honors) from the University of Ulster, U.K.

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