Manuela Santos

Manuela Santos is a tenured professor-researcher affiliated with the University of Montreal, focusing on gut microbiome interactions, colorectal cancer mechanisms, and iron metabolism. Her work bridges nutritional science with surgical outcomes and carcinogenesis.

• Ph.D. in Immunology and Iron Metabolism from Utrecht University
• Postdoctoral research at University of Montreal on Friedreich Ataxia

Her research explores how dietary micronutrients like iron and heme influence gut microbiota composition, inflammation, and cancer development. Current projects investigate:

• Microelement competition in intestinal ecosystems
• Bacterial strain effects on post-surgical healing
• Probiotic/prebiotic interventions for microbiome restoration

Key publications highlight discoveries in:

• Iron's role in NKT cell activation
• Microbiota's impact on anastomotic healing
• Heme's contribution to colitis-associated adenomas
• NRF2's regulatory functions in metabolic diseases