Specialization
Focus of research
My research focuses on understanding how agricultural practices influence the human gut microbiome and, ultimately, human health. Specifically, I investigate the effects of consuming organically versus conventionally produced fruits and vegetables on gut microbial composition, function and health outcomes.
As part of my PhD, I am leading two randomized dietary intervention trials to evaluate the impact of agricultural practices on the gut microbiome and host health. By integrating clinical data with shotgun metagenomic sequencing across both trials, I aim to identify crop-derived microbes and how these influence gut micrbiome. We will also validate key findings in the multi-ethnic longitudinal HELIUS cohort.
In parallel, I am interested in understanding how pesticide residues move through the food system, from agricultural application and soil to crops and ultimately human exposure and how these exposures may influence the gut microbiome.
At Amsterdam UMC, I am an active member of AGEM (Amsterdam Gastroenterology, Endocrinology and Metabolism). I am also a member of the MicroHealth consortium at the University of Amsterdam (UvA), where I collaborate with an interdisciplinary team to advance this research.