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Project: Impact of late-life nutritional interventions on microbiome/cognition
Nationality: South African
Supervisor / Co-Supervisor: Pof. Dr. Lisette de Groot / Prof. Dr. Christine Brombach
Host Organisation: Wageningen University (WUR), Netherlands
I am from Pretoria, South Africa. It is also here where I completed my six-year Bachelor in Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) with distinction at the University of Pretoria in 2012. After my MBChB I worked as a medical doctor from January 2013 to August 2018 in both the public and private sector in South Africa. During my time in practice, I became very interested in nutrition and the gut-brain axis and its potential implications for health. In 2018 I received a Swedish Institute Study Scholarship (SISS) for a master’s studies in Sweden. I completed my Master of Science at Örebro University in June 2020, with the program Nutritional Molecular Medicine and Bioinformatics. My master thesis was done at the Nutrition-Gut-Brain-Interactions (NGBI) research centre at Örebro University and looked at the effect of dietary supplements (omega 3, vitamin D and probiotics) on physical function and intestinal permeability in elderly subjects with low-grade inflammation. After my studies I was employed until December 2020 as a research assistant with the same project as my master thesis at the NGBI research centre.
What is your project/research about? What would you like to find out?
In recent years there has been increasing awareness (both in academia and in the general public) about the importance of the microbiome and gut in cognitive health via the bidirectional gut-brain axis. My research project will aim to see if nutritional interventions can improve the function of this axis and thereby maintain cognitive function in healthy elderly. We will do follow-up measurements of a previously performed nutritional intervention study (the NuAge study where participants followed the Mediterranean diet) as well as perform a new dietary intervention with β-glucans.
Why did you apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie ITN and especially this project?
I was attracted to this project because of it being exactly in my field of interest. I was very excited that this was a Marie Słodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network because of the opportunities it provides for collaboration between different research centres and projects, and thereby gaining more in-depth insight into the field. I am drawn to research on the gut-brain axis, and specifically nutritional interventions, as it provides a way for potential interventions and preventative measures with effects similar to medications, without the possible drug interactions and side effects. Cognitive impairment and dementia are leading causes of disability globally and I am very excited about being involved in research to potentially lessen the burden of these conditions.
What is so fascinating for you on research in general?
As a clinician I am attracted by the potential of research to change the way medicine is practiced by discovery of new treatments or preventative measures. For me personally, I realised that as a medical doctor I can only help one person at a time, but with research I could potentially affect the health of many individuals globally.
What do you do in your free time? Do you have special interests/hobbies?
In my free time I enjoy being in nature as often as possible. I also enjoy exercising (bouldering, yoga, swimming) and as well as drawing and painting. I trained ballet intensively for 19 years, and I still enjoy attending classes and if the opportunity arises to assist in teaching ballet. I also play violin and I am learning to play the guitar. Other than that, I enjoy spending time with friends and family.
What are your plans for your future? Where/what you will be in 5 years?
In the future I hope to be able to combine clinical medical work with research, specifically in the field of nutrition and the gut brain-axis. I am also passionate about education of medical doctors and students about nutrition and health and teaching in gut-brain related fields. In five years’ time I hope to be working as a post-doctoral researcher at a facility where I can combine my research interest with clinical work and teaching.