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Project: Intestinal barrier function in age-dependent gut-brain interaction: dietary interventions with oat β-glucans
Nationality: German
Supervisor / Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Ina Bergheim / Dr. Cècile Perrault
Host Organisation: University of Vienna (UniVie), Austria
After graduating from school, I obtained a bachelor's degree in Nutritional Sciences at the Justus-Liebig-University in Gießen. During my bachelor studies, I had the opportunity to complete several internships in the industrial sector of regulatory affair human nutrition and in a nutritional application group, which was an enriching expertise. However, during my master's degree at the University of Hohenheim I decided to start my professional life in scientific research and to combine my master thesis with a semester abroad. For this purpose I moved to Vienna and completed my master thesis in the field of intestinal barrier functions.
What is your project/research about? What would you like to find out?
Our project focuses on the aging-associated changes of intestinal homeostasis and cognitive dysfunction (role of gut-brain axis). Herein, we will study whether an intervention with oat β-glucans, a soluble dietary fiber, might affect these alterations. It would be great to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of β-glucan. With our project we want to add a better understanding of nutritional intestinal barrier/microbial and cognitive dysfunctions. Thereby hopefully also adding to the development of new prevention strategies for healthy aging.
Why did you apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN and especially this project?
I applied for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN because this kind of project gives us the opportunity to excellent education and development not only in scientific research but also enable us to get in contact with the industrial sector and to create a working network. In addition, part of the programme is to gain experience abroad through stays at other research institutes of the project partners. This is an incredible and very rare opportunity during the PhD. The subject of aging is generally a very present topic as our population ages. This creates new problems, especially in relation to health issues. That's why I think it is a very exciting topic to investigate if the intestinal barrier might influence cognitive and perhaps other health changes. Other than that through this project, I can expand and refine the knowledge I gained from my master's thesis.
What is so fascinating for you on research in general?
Research is an advancing process. Many bright minds with diverse knowledge meet, inspire each other, exchange ideas and generate new knowledge. Moreover, research is never boring, new challenges are always arising and new ideas and approaches are pursued. That's what makes research exciting for me.
What do you do in your free time? Do you have special interests/hobbies?
I love to cook and to bake especially when family and/or friends come to visit. To stay fit, I like to do sports. I am very versatile, from Pilates and yoga to running, it alternates according to my mood. When I have time, I do my favorite sport, rowing. Besides this, I play the flute in an orchestra and from time to time I like to play board games. A good glass of wine with friends or reading a fascinating book means a perfect end to the day for me.
What are your plans for your future? Where/what you will be in 5 years?
The next few years I would like to expand and improve my scientific experience. After my PhD, I would like to aim to continue my academic career, maybe on another continent. In the long term, it will then become clear whether I will continue in academic research or rather go into industrial research.