Teen Science Cafe | The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Our Health and Wellbeing

Join us for this Teen Science Cafe with Rachel Dumez, doctoral candidate in the Curriculum of Genetics and Molecular Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill. Rachel will discuss the trillions of microorganisms that live on and inside our bodies, including the community of microbes that colonize the gastrointestinal tract that are referred to as our gut microbiome. The gut microbiome plays an integral role in many aspects of our health such as how we respond to medications and even how well our brains function. Loss of the “good” bacteria from our gut microbiome has been associated with many metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, and irritable bowel syndrome. We will explore more about the relationship we have with microbes and one way we can promote a healthy gut microbiome through the consumption of probiotics.

Speaker Bio: Rachel Dumez is a third year PhD candidate in the Curriculum of Genetics and Molecular Biology at UNC-Chapel Hill who conducts research in Dr. Rob Dowen’s lab. For her thesis project she is exploring the host metabolic response to consumption of Kombucha-associated microorganisms using a small transparent worm species called Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system.