About
Julia Rode is an Assistant Professor in physiology at Örebro University's School of Medical Sciences and Department of Medical Sciences. She is affiliated with the Nutrition-Gut-Brain Interactions Research Centre (NGBI) and the Responsive Nutrition Research Centre. Her research focuses on the gut-brain axis using functional MRI and microbiome analysis.
Education:
- BSc in Nutritional Science from Technical University of Munich
- MSc in Molecular Biotechnology from Technical University of Munich
- PhD on 'gut microbiota, its modifications and the gut-brain axis' from Örebro University (2021)
Dr. Rode's research is highly interdisciplinary, focusing on the physiological processes of gut-brain interactions. She investigates how to modulate the gut-brain axis through interventions like fecal microbiota transfer and probiotics. Her work also involves finding biomarkers for psychiatric diseases, particularly ADHD. She employs functional MRI extensively to examine brain responses to various interventions and stimuli, with a special interest in how probiotics affect brain morphology and function.
Her publication record shows a strong focus on the gut-brain axis, with recent work examining probiotic effects on brain function, gut microbiota composition, and the development of biomarkers for conditions like IBS and ADHD. The research spans from clinical trials to mechanistic in vitro studies, with increasing emphasis on translational applications.
Scientific Awards:
- Best PhD Thesis Award 2021 by Nutrients
- ESPEN Research Fellowship 2020
- Strategic research funding from Faculty of Medicine and Health at Örebro University 2023
- Funding from Dr P Håkansson Foundation 2023
- Pedagogical pilot project funding 2024
Dr. Rode serves as co-supervisor for two PhD students and regularly supervises Bachelor's, Master's, and Medical students. She has secured multiple research grants totaling over 1 million SEK, including projects on probiotics, gut-brain biomarkers, and developing a standardized gut-brain axis model. She is also involved in the Rosetta@ORU project as associate leader of one work package. Her teaching responsibilities span multiple programs, including the international Master's in Experimental Medicine and various health science programs.
Dr. Rode leads research in the Clinical and Experimental Psychophysiology & Psychopharmacology group and the Nutrition-Gut-Brain Axis group. She collaborates nationally with researchers from Örebro University Hospital, Linnaeus University, and Karolinska Institute, and internationally with institutions in Germany, USA, and others. Her research also involves industry partnerships with companies including GSK Consumer Healthcare, Haleon, BioGaia, AnaBio, and GE.
