Faculty

Due to their microscopic nature, microbes are out of sight and thus out of mind. This invisibility has led to misconceptions or a lack of awareness about their ubiquity and their importance for sustaining life on Earth. Public health campaigns and media coverage often focus on the potential threats posed by pathogenic microbes, which contribute to a negative perception. However, the whole life on Earth depends on microbial life in many aspects.

After completing my first Ph.D. in microbiology and serving as a faculty member at IAU, where I conducted research on the functions of microorganisms in built environments, my interest was piqued when I learned about conserved sequences in bacteria with unknown functions in the brain. This newfound knowledge drew me towards an emerging area of microbiological research.

This emerging field aims to understand how microorganisms influence our brain function, health, and behavior, often referred to as the "microbial-brain axis." Microbes in the gut can produce molecules such as neurotransmitters, Short-chain fatty acids, and hormones that influence these bidirectional communication pathways, affecting neural function and behavior via the vagus nerve, immune system signals, and circulation. In addition, imbalances in the gut microbiome have been linked to neuroinflammation, which is implicated in various neurological disorders. Conversely, some microorganisms and their products may have neuroprotective effects. Research is exploring the connections between the gut microbiome and neurological conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

To pursue my research interests, I earned a second PhD in neurobiology at UBC, focusing on highly conserved genes expressed in the brain with known functions in bacteria. Following this, I embarked on a short postdoctoral research project at the Center for Microbiome and Inflammation Research, UBCO, aimed at understanding the gut-brain axis in patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Despite the growing evidence of the impact of microorganisms on the brain, the field is still evolving, and many mechanisms and specific relationships remain not fully understood.

Here at UFV, along with our students, we will continue exploring how microorganisms can impact our brains. Additionally, we will continue to enhance our understanding of microbes and their diverse roles in health and the environment.