Hauke Smidt is a Personal Professor at Wageningen University & Research, affiliated with the Molecular Ecology group within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. His research focuses on microbial ecology, particularly gut microbiota dynamics, antibiotic resistance, environmental microbiology, and the One Health framework. Smidt has supervised over 50 PhD students and contributed to 519 publications, including studies on microbiome resilience, fermented food impacts, and bioremediation strategies. Education and affiliations include leadership roles in projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, pig health, and drinking water microbiology. His work spans collaborations across Europe and Asia, with notable contributions to understanding microbial community responses to environmental stressors and dietary interventions. Smidt is actively involved in public outreach, as seen in media contributions discussing microbiome research and health benefits. Key projects include aquifer treatment for drinking water, microbiome simulation models, and combating plant pathogens. His awards and recognition are not explicitly listed, but his extensive publication record and project leadership highlight significant academic impact.
John F. Brooks II is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Molecular Biology at Princeton University, where he leads the Brooks Lab. His research focuses on the circadian regulation of host-microbe dynamics, particularly how the circadian clock interfaces with the immune system to maintain gut microbiome harmony. Education: Ph.D., Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Walter S. and Lucienne Driskill Graduate Training Program in Life Sciences B.S., University of Michigan, Microbiology Research Interests: Dr. Brooks investigates how the circadian clock controls the rhythmic secretion of antimicrobial proteins (AMPs) in the small intestine and how persistent infections override these rhythms to sustain AMP production. His work integrates cell and molecular immunology, mouse genetics, and genomics to uncover mechanisms of circadian-immune crosstalk. This research has broad implications for disorders linked to circadian disruption, including obesity, diabetes, and chronic gut inflammation. Recent Publication Trends: His recent publications emphasize the coordination between microbial signals and host circadian rhythms in regulating innate immunity. Key themes include diurnal patterns in immune function, microbiota-driven immune modulation, and the physiological consequences of circadian misalignment in infection and disease. Scientific Awards: Pew Scholar in the Biomedical Sciences (2024) Advising and Grants: Dr. Brooks mentors graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, including Talia Akoh-Arrey and Urbashi Basu. His lab has received significant funding, notably the Pew Biomedical Scholars Award, supporting innovative research at the intersection of immunology, microbiology, and chronobiology. Labs and Teams: The Brooks Lab at Princeton employs interdisciplinary approaches to study host-microbe interactions. The team collaborates with experts in immunology and circadian biology, including Lora Hooper and Joseph Takahashi, to advance understanding of temporal regulation in immunity.
Professor Mirko Trajkovski leads the Laboratory of Metabolic Diseases at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva. He completed his PhD at the International Max Planck School in Dresden (2005), followed by postdoctoral research at ETH Zurich, before establishing his lab at University College London (2012) and moving to Geneva (2013). His work focuses on adipose tissue plasticity , gut microbiota , and their roles in obesity , diabetes , and insulin resistance . Swiss National Science Foundation Professor (2014) ERC Starting Grant (2014) & Consolidator Grant (2019) Dr Walter Seipp Prize & Carl Gustav Carus Prize (2005) His lab investigates fat browning mechanisms , microbiota-host communication , and multi-tissue metabolic regulation using in vivo , in vitro , and human cohort approaches. Recent publications emphasize microbiome-based therapies , temperature effects on metabolism , and gut-bone-adipose crosstalk . Current advisees include PhD student Silas Kieser, with past members like Jing Xue, Salvatore Fabbiano, and Claire Chevalier contributing to immuno-metabolism and microbial engineering projects.
Mahima Swamy is a Principal Investigator and Wellcome Trust Sir Henry Dale Fellow at the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (PPU) at the University of Dundee. Her research focuses on understanding immune interactions at the intestinal epithelium, particularly the role of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in maintaining gut homeostasis and resisting infections. She leads a lab investigating IEL biology, including their regulation by PIM kinases and LRRK2 in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and Crohn’s disease. Dr. Swamy earned her BSc in Biological Sciences from BITS Pilani and completed her PhD at the Max-Planck Institute in Freiburg, Germany. She held postdoctoral fellowships at CRUK London Research Institute and the University of Dundee before establishing her independent group in 2016. Her work combines proteomics, mouse models, and in vitro co-cultures to explore IEL signaling pathways and their dysregulation in diseases. Key research interests include: IEL-mediated protection against pathogens, metabolic adaptations of IEL to the gut environment, and the role of LRRK2 in intestinal immune function. Her lab collaborates with the Alessi lab to study LRRK2 inhibitors for IBD therapy. Education: BSc (BITS Pilani) → PhD (MPIIB, Germany) → Postdocs (CRUK, Dundee) Lab Members: Includes PhD students (Rebecca Pemberton, Srishti, Neema Skariah) and postdocs (Amanpreet Chawla, Purbasha Bhattacharya) Collaborations: Tayside Immunology Group, Society for Mucosal Immunology Scientific achievements include discoveries of PIM kinases in IEL function and LRRK2’s role in gut inflammation. Her group has pioneered tools like phospho-proteomic analyses and epithelial organoid:IEL co-cultures.
Dr. Rebecca Clark is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biosciences at Durham University. Her research focuses on understanding intestinal function in health and disease using the Drosophila model. She investigates how the intestinal epithelium balances barrier function, nutrient absorption, microbial symbiosis, and cell turnover, particularly during aging and disease states. Key research questions include mechanisms of intestinal barrier failure and the interplay between nutrition and intestinal homeostasis. Her work integrates genetic, microbiological, and physiological approaches to explore aging-related pathologies. Current projects aim to identify molecular pathways linking intestinal health to longevity. Supervised postgraduate students include Ale Acevedo Marcelin, Beñat Yanez, and Fanila Shahzad. Dr. Clark’s lab uses Drosophila as a model system due to its powerful genetic tools and evolutionary relevance. Research has implications for understanding human conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and age-related metabolic disorders. Recent findings highlight microbiota-independent aging mechanisms and the role of tricellular junctions in stem cell regulation. No scientific awards are explicitly listed in the provided materials. Her research has been published in journals like Cell , Nature Cell Biology , and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences .
Frida Hållenius is an Associate Professor and Senior Lecturer in Molecular Nutrition at the Division of Food and Pharma, Faculty of Engineering (LTH), Lund University. She is a key member of the LTH Profile Area: Food and Bio and leads or actively participates in multiple research projects exploring the role of diet and gut microbiota in human health. Associate Professor in Molecular Nutrition Senior Lecturer, Division of Food and Pharma Faculty of Engineering (LTH), Lund University Principal Investigator, Gut Microbiome Laboratory (GML) Active researcher in 3 ongoing projects, including NeuroFood and ScanOats Her research is centered on host-microbiota interactions, particularly how dietary components, probiotics, and polyphenols influence gut health, inflammation, metabolic diseases, and neuroinflammation. Her work bridges nutrition, microbiology, and neuroscience, with a strong focus on preventive strategies for lifestyle-related diseases such as obesity, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease. She employs both animal models (e.g., C57BL/6, Apoe-/- mice) and human-relevant in vitro systems to study dietary interventions. The recent trends in her publications highlight a strong focus on the gut-brain axis, the impact of Nordic berries and legumes on microbiota and metabolic health, and the use of advanced models like 3D intestinal tissue. Her work often involves interdisciplinary collaboration and contributes to multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to good health and well-being. Scientific Awards: No specific awards mentioned in the provided text. She has supervised several junior researchers and students, including research students and assistants, and is actively involved in grant-funded research projects from FORMAS and private foundations. She leads the Gut Microbiome Laboratory (GML), a collaborative research environment focused on understanding how diet shapes the gut microbiome and influences disease pathways. Her leadership in projects like NeuroFood and those targeting Alzheimer’s disease underscores her commitment to translational nutritional science.
Dr. Oluwabunmi (Bunmi) Olaloye is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Neonatology at Yale School of Medicine. She holds appointments in Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine and is affiliated with the Janeway Society. Her academic background includes an MD from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, pediatrics residency at University of Texas Medical Branch, and neonatology fellowship at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Olaloye's research focuses on immune dysfunction underlying neonatal intestinal diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and spontaneous intestinal perforation (SIP). Using cutting-edge techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and mass cytometry, her work identifies biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve outcomes for premature infants. Key research areas include fetal immune system maturation, placental immune interactions, and gestational age-specific inflammatory responses. Her publication record spans 12 peer-reviewed articles between 2019-2025, emphasizing translational immunology and neonatal pathophysiology. Notable contributions include defining immune cell trajectories in preterm infants and developing gating guidelines for high-dimensional cytometry data. Current projects involve constructing immune cell atlases across human lifespans and investigating nutritional interventions for intestinal disorders. Laboratory affiliations include the Laboratory for Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology where she explores neonatal mucosal immunity. Her work integrates clinical observations with systems immunology approaches to address critical gaps in understanding prematurity-associated gastrointestinal pathologies.
Prof. Kai Markus Schneider is a Full Professor (W3) of Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the TUD Dresden University of Technology, where he leads a research group at the Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD). He also serves as a Senior Physician in the Department of Medicine I at the University Hospital Dresden. His research deciphers molecular mechanisms of organ crosstalk to develop therapies for gastrointestinal and liver diseases, emphasizing neuro-immune interactions, gut-brain signaling, and microbiota dynamics. Education highlights include: Board Certification in Internal Medicine (2023) PhD (Dr. rer.nat) and MD (Dr. med) from RWTH Aachen University Clinical rotations at Harvard Medical School and MD Anderson Cancer Center His work spans: Neuro-Immunology : Stress-induced inflammation via the gut-brain axis Microbiome-Host Interactions : Dysbiosis in liver cancer and cholestasis Regenerative Therapies : Molecular circuits in GI disease recovery Recent publications (2021-2023) focus on stress-gut-liver interactions, highlighting roles of enteric nerves, microbiota imbalances, and FXR signaling in disease progression. Trends show interdisciplinary integration of neuroscience, immunology, and molecular biology. Awards include: Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize (2024) Theodor-Frerichs-Prize (2024) Rising Star Award (UEG, 2023) Early Career Investigator Award (AASLD, 2021) He advises PhD students (e.g., Qusay Salih) and oversees a team of postdocs, technicians, and visiting scientists. Research is funded by European and German institutions.
Professor Susan Jebb is a leading academic in diet and population health at the University of Oxford, holding dual roles as Professor of Diet and Population Health in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences and Senior Research Fellow at Jesus College. She chairs the Food Standards Agency and has held influential advisory roles including the UK Government’s Foresight Report on Obesity and Public Health England’s Obesity Review Group. Her research focuses on dietary interventions for obesity prevention, behavioral change strategies in primary care, and translating scientific evidence into public health policy. Education: BSc (University of Surrey, 1986) and PhD (University of Cambridge, 1990). Early career included roles at the MRC Dunn Nutrition Unit and MRC Human Nutrition Research before moving to Oxford in 2013. Research Interests: Behavioral interventions for weight management, policy impacts on dietary behavior, and obesity-related chronic diseases. Her group conducts randomized controlled trials to improve healthcare practices and public health strategies. Notable contributions include developing school food standards and shaping hospital food policies. Awards: Awarded OBE (2008) for services to public health. Teaching and Advising: Co-leads the nutrition module in the MSc in Global Health Sciences. Supervises DPhil students in primary care and population health. Leads large-scale trials such as the NHS Diabetes Remission Programme. Public Engagement: Active in media (e.g., BBC documentaries) and collaborates with public panels to co-design research studies.
Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Martin A. Kriegel serves as full Professor and Department Head of the Department of Translational Rheumatology and Immunology at the Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine, University of Münster, while maintaining an active laboratory at Yale School of Medicine. He leads the Section for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology (SRKI) at Medical Clinic D, where his team integrates clinical care with cutting-edge microbiome research. His department operates from Röntgenstraße 21 and Von-Esmarch-Str. 54 in Münster, Germany, with extensive collaborations including the "Cells in Motion" research initiative and the CiM-IMPRS graduate program. Dr. Kriegel's research program focuses on the critical interface between host immunity and microbiota, particularly investigating how gut commensals translocate to host tissues and trigger autoimmune responses. His laboratory pioneered the discovery that specific pathobionts like Enterococcus gallinarum and certain Lactobacillus strains can translocate from the gut to mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, and other sites, driving autoimmune responses through molecular mimicry of human autoantigens. His work has established fundamental mechanisms by which microbiota influence rheumatic diseases, cutaneous autoimmunity, and cancer immunology, with particular emphasis on Ro60 autoantigen mimicry, TLR7-dependent pathways, and diet-microbiome interactions. The laboratory employs advanced techniques including gnotobiotic mouse models, humanized systems, and detailed molecular characterization of host-pathobiont interactions. Analysis of Dr. Kriegel's publication record reveals a consistent trajectory of high-impact research connecting microbiome dynamics to autoimmune pathogenesis. His most recent work (2023-2025) demonstrates increasingly sophisticated understanding of how specific bacterial strains influence disease phenotypes across multiple autoimmune conditions, with notable advances in identifying shared microbiome signatures across lupus and inflammatory bowel disease. The publications show progressive refinement from initial observations of microbial translocation to detailed mechanistic insights into tryptophan catabolism pathways, structural basis of molecular mimicry, and diet-sensitive microbial triggers. Dr. Kriegel's scientific recognition includes US Patent No. 11,058,756 B2 for compositions treating autoimmune diseases by reducing enterococcus, reflecting the translational potential of his research. His laboratory receives substantial funding, most notably a $3 million award from the Lupus Research Alliance for the TransLuMi project investigating gut pathobiont translocation in systemic lupus erythematosus. As an educator and mentor, Dr. Kriegel directs a substantial research team including multiple postdocs (Drs. Marcia Pereira, Nathalie Becker), PhD candidates (Anna Brinkhege, Carina Brune, Helen Fuhrmann), and laboratory specialists. He participates in the CiM-IMPRS graduate program and supervises medical students through the MedK program. His laboratory currently manages multiple significant research projects including: (A) intestinal wall permeability and pathobiont translocation in autoimmunity; (B) diet-environment-microbiome interactions; (C) microbiota disruption of immunological tolerance; and (D) microbiome roles in lymphoma development. The Kriegel laboratory maintains state-of-the-art facilities at both Münster and Yale, with specialized capabilities in gnotobiotic research, microbiome analysis, and immune profiling. His team collaborates with international partners including Dr. Eran Elinav at Weizmann Institute, Dr. Nissan Yissachar at Bar-Ilan University, Prof. George Tsokos at Harvard, and Prof. Ilana Brito at Cornell University. The laboratory's website (https://www.medizin.uni-muenster.de/mikrobiom/startseite/) details ongoing projects and research opportunities.
Professor Mark Morrison is an Affiliate Professor at the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, and holds roles as Chair & Group Leader of Metagenomics at the Frazer Institute within the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Behavioural Sciences. His research focuses on clinical microbiology, gastroenterology, and the microbiome’s role in diseases like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and diabetes. He has extensive academic qualifications, including a Bachelor of Science from the University of New South Wales, a Master’s from James Cook University, and a PhD from the University of Illinois. Education : Bachelor of Science, University of New South Wales Masters (Research) of Science, James Cook University Doctor of Philosophy, University of Illinois His research interests span microbiome-driven health and disease mechanisms, particularly in gut-brain interactions, mucosal microbiota dynamics, and translational therapies. Over 390 works include studies on dietary FODMAP effects, microbiome-based IBD diagnostics, and SCFA therapy for diabetes. He leads interdisciplinary grants on microbiome manipulation and has advised numerous PhD students on topics like Crohn’s disease, archaeal biodiversity, and immune modulation. His recent articles highlight microbiota roles in SIBO, anastomotic leaks, and probiotic efficacy. While no explicit awards are cited, his contributions to gut microbiome science are recognized through active research collaborations and funding. He actively supervises students and chairs teams advancing metagenomics and clinical applications.
Prof. Dr. Tim Rollenske is a faculty member and principal investigator at the University of Bonn , affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine and the Institute of Immunology . He leads the Tim Rollenske Laboratory , focusing on mucosal immunology and B cell responses to the microbiota. His research is supported by prestigious grants such as the Emmy Noether DFG Grant and the ImmunoSensation 2 Seed Funding. His research interests include: Mucosal Immunology and IgA function B cell biology and antibody repertoire Host-microbe interactions and microbiota modulation Monoclonal antibody discovery and therapeutic potential Analysis of his recent publications (2018–2025) reveals a strong focus on the role of secretory IgA in shaping microbial communities, B cell development in early life, and cross-reactive antibody responses in infection and immunity. His work integrates human samples, gnotobiotic mouse models, and single-cell BCR analysis. Scientific awards include: Fritz and Ursula Melchers Prize (2022) ImmunoSensation 2 Seed Funding Prize (2023) Travel grant and poster prize at IMMEI Retreat (2024) He mentors several PhD students, including Jonathan Schreiber, Sophie Burkhalter, Antonia Geisse Anguita, and Chris Johann Göschel. His lab is part of a collaborative network within the University of Bonn’s immunology research ecosystem, including the Christian Kurts, Natalio Garbi, and Veronika Lukacs-Kornek laboratories. He has received funding from DFG, Excellence Cluster ImmunoSensation 2, and SFB 1454 Metaflammation. His laboratory investigates the molecular mechanisms by which B cells and antibodies maintain mutualistic host-microbe relationships at mucosal surfaces, with long-term goals of improving mucosal vaccination and developing monoclonal antibody therapies.
Karl-Heinz Wagner is Full Professor of Nutrition and Food Quality at the University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Nutritional Sciences. He directs an experimental research group investigating how lifestyle factors—diet, specific food components, phytochemicals, physical activity and bioactive non-food compounds—modulate oxidative stress and DNA stability in humans, with emphasis on aging and sarcopenia. He initiated the university-wide “Active Ageing” research platform and coordinates EU projects such as SHIFT2HEALTH. Education & Affiliations: University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Sciences, Department of Nutritional Sciences – Professor and Chair of Nutrition and Food Quality Principal investigator of the Emerging Field “Oxidative Stress and DNA Stability” Head of the “Active Ageing” research platform activeageing.univie.ac.at Research Focus: Prof. Wagner’s group applies state-of-the-art biochemical and molecular techniques to quantify antioxidant compounds, ROS-induced DNA and chromosomal damage, DNA repair capacity and transcriptional regulation of antioxidant defenses. Human intervention trials, cross-sectional cohorts and in-vitro models are used to examine: Impact of plant-based vs. animal-based diets on multimorbidity risk Nitrate-rich beetroot juice effects on microbiome, vascular function and oxidative stress Bilirubin biology and metabolic health in Gilbert’s syndrome High-protein nutrition and resistance training on DNA damage and muscle quality in older adults Microbiota-derived metabolites that enhance CD8 T-cell antitumor immunity after exercise Publication Trends 2023-2025: Recent output demonstrates a strategic shift toward multi-omics integration (metabolomics, lipidomics, proteomics) to dissect diet–microbiome–immune crosstalk and to identify predictive biomarkers of healthy ageing. Papers consistently appear in top-tier journals (Cell, Lancet Healthy Longev, Redox Biol, Mol Nutr Food Res) and embrace large multinational cohorts, randomized controlled trials and mechanistic animal/cellular work. Funding & Networks: Research is mainly funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), National Bank, European Commission (Horizon 2020, Horizon Europe), EU Cross-Border Co-operation and the University of Vienna. A dense national and international partner network ensures continuous biomarker development and knowledge transfer. Student Training & Citizen Science: Prof. Wagner actively involves MSc/PhD students and post-docs in externally funded projects and advertises internships via ERASMUS+. Study participant recruitment portals for projects like SHIFT2HEALTH, NUTRIAGING and bilirubin clinical studies are maintained to engage the public and foster translational impact.
Gary H. Perdew is the H. Thomas & Dorothy Willits Hallowell Chair of Agricultural Sciences and Director of the Center for Molecular Toxicology and Carcinogenesis at Penn State University. He holds a B.S. in Food Science from the University of Maryland, M.S. in Food Biochemistry from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. in Food Toxicology from Oregon State University, followed by postdoctoral training at the University of Wisconsin. His research focuses on the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR), exploring its role in toxicology, carcinogenesis, and metabolic regulation, particularly in barrier tissues like the intestine and skin. His work has led to collaborations with pharmaceutical companies developing AHR-targeted therapies. Key honors include the NIH R35 RIVER Outstanding Investigator Award (2019–2025), Penn State Faculty Scholar Medal (2002), and Distinguished Professor title (2004–2006). He teaches BMB 433: Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology and serves on NIH study sections. His lab investigates AHR’s dual role in cancer progression and immune modulation, aiming to develop treatments for inflammatory diseases and cancer. Ongoing projects include AHR antagonists in clinical trials and microbiome interactions with xenobiotic responses. Perdew’s research bridges environmental toxicology, cancer biology, and translational medicine, with over 150 publications and an impact index of 65. His lab also explores AHR’s role in metabolic homeostasis, gut microbiota dynamics, and evolutionary differences in receptor function across species.
Dr. Margaret Alexander is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she leads a research laboratory focused on the interactions between diet, the gut microbiota, and the immune system in autoimmune diseases. She began her independent career at UW-Madison in January 2024 after completing postdoctoral training at UCSF. Her educational background includes: B.S. in Biology from Carleton College Ph.D. from the University of Utah under Dr. Ryan O'Connell, studying immune cell communication Postdoctoral work at UCSF with Dr. Peter Turnbaugh on microbiota-immune interactions in autoimmunity Dr. Alexander's research centers on decoding mechanistic interactions between diet, microbiota, and immune responses using mouse models, gnotobiotics, anaerobic microbiology, and sequencing . Her lab investigates how dietary components shape microbial metabolism and immune function, with particular focus on Th17 cell regulation, microbial enzyme activity, and metabolite-mediated host responses in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease and rheumatoid arthritis. This work bridges fundamental microbiology with translational applications for autoimmune disease treatment. Analysis of her recent publications reveals three dominant trends: (1) Identification of specific microbial metabolites (e.g., lactate, polyphenol derivatives) that modulate immune pathways; (2) Development of precision tools for microbiome manipulation including phage-delivered CRISPR; and (3) Investigation of dietary interventions (ketogenic diets, prebiotics) as therapeutic strategies. Her work consistently connects microbial metabolic capabilities to host immune outcomes in autoimmunity. Her scientific contributions have been recognized through prestigious awards: T32 fellowship F32 fellowship K99/R00 career development award Dr. Alexander mentors a diverse research team using a philosophy emphasizing collaboration, creativity, and clear communication . She currently advises two Ph.D. students (Wenxuan Dong and Gillian Hughes) and supervises postdoctoral scholars, with structured mentoring through weekly 1:1 meetings and annual planning sessions. Her lab has secured significant grant funding including NIH K99/R00 support for her diet-microbiome-immune axis research. The Alexander Lab operates within the Microbial Sciences Building at UW-Madison as a dynamic interdisciplinary team comprising postdoctoral scholars, graduate students, a research specialist, and undergraduate researchers. They employ integrated approaches spanning microbial ecology, immunology, and systems biology to unravel complex host-microbe-diet interactions, with ongoing projects focused on microbial enzyme characterization, therapeutic dietary strategies, and microbiome-based biomarkers for autoimmune disease progression.
