What fuels your passion for your research every day? Is there a defining moment or discovery that solidified your commitment to this field?
With 1 in 3 children experiencing overweight or obesity—and rates in New Brunswick exceeding the national average—the need for innovative, impactful research to halt obesity programming has never been greater. The Perinatal-Pediatric Health & Development Studies (PEADS) Laboratory, which I established in January 2023 at the University of New Brunswick, has quickly become a leading hub for maternal and child health research. In the lab, we are redefining the frontiers of early life nutrition science, metabolism, and physiology, including human milk, solid food introduction, the gut microbiome, and obesity.
My passion for this research was fueled when I realized that the road to discovery was endless. Being able to answer unanswered questions is one of the most intriguing parts of my research, especially recognizing that the translation of those discoveries to practice is where the true impact lies. Bridging the gap between research and real-world application is very rewarding because it ensures that our scientific advancements improve health outcomes, inform clinical guidelines, and empower individuals to make evidence-based decisions.
A defining moment in my research journey was when I uncovered critical links between human milk components and the infant gut microbiome. My research explored associations between specific nutritional, hormonal, and inflammatory components of human milk and the infant gut microbiota at six months of age. In this contribution, I discovered a potential role for human milk cytokines in priming gut microbiome establishment in infants, particularly influencing microbial diversity and composition. This finding fueled my drive to further explore these connections, leading me to spearhead a one-of-a-kind longitudinal study that traces the evolution of human milk components and the neonatal gut microbiome across early life.
Beyond the research itself, what fuels me is mentoring students—seeing them develop their own curiosity, ask bold questions, grow into independent thinkers, and take strong initiatives. Guiding the next generation of researchers and watching their excitement when they uncover something new reminds me why I immersed myself in academic science.
Every day in the PEADS Lab brings us closer to our goals of moving nutrition science and pediatrics research forward. Every day, I’m energized by the possibility that even the smallest discovery could lead to meaningful changes in practice and patient outcomes.