Emma Saltzman

I chose Hudson Institute of Medical Research and the Microbiota and Systems Biology Research group because of their recognised capabilities and expertise in the microbiome research area. My supervisor and lab head Dr Samuel Forster and his group have developed customised protocols and technologies to intricately analyse the interactions between the gut microbiome and it's host.

The aim of my research is to explore the role of foodborne microbes in shaping the gut microbiome composition and influencing host health. My project seeks to explore the microbiome of food, assessing the microbial profile of common food types and the impact of food preparation and storage methods on bacterial viability. Moreover, we will seek to understand how dietary-derived bacteria may colonise the gut and contribute to host health.

Being a student at Hudson Institute means you are a member of a supportive and collaborative group of students, as well as a wider cohort of experienced and highly knowledgeable and approachable researchers.

Working at Hudson Institute has provided me with the opportunity to network with other labs, collaborate on different projects and engage with Hudson Institute Student Society (HISS).

I hope that my research will help to inform the food industry as well as health professionals about healthful food properties that can be imparted by their unique microbiomes and how this information could be harnessed to help design novel diet-based therapeutics.