Dannon awards $50,000 in student grants to further yogurt, gut microbiome exploration
Dannon, as a part of Danone North America, has announced the winners of its 7th annual Gut Microbiome, Yogurt, and Probiotics Fellowship Grant Program.
Dannon, as a part of Danone North America, has announced the winners of its 7th annual Gut Microbiome, Yogurt, and Probiotics Fellowship Grant Program. This year’s honorees are Caroline Kelsey from the University of Virginia and Yeonwoo Lebovitz from Virginia Tech. A committee of nutrition scientists selected the two winners based on the quality of their proposals, faculty recommendations, and the value of the research to human health and wellness. Kelsey and Lebovitz will each receive $25,000 to help fund their unique and independent studies of yogurt, probiotics, and the human gut microbiome.
Kelsey’s research will examine how gut bacteria and food intake influence brain development, and Lebovitz’s research will assess how a mother’s gut microbiome can affect and protect her baby’s neurological development. Both proposals employ contemporary methodology that will inform future investigations and enhance the understanding of how the gut influences key components of human health.
“The level of innovation and originality of the proposals was unprecedented,” said Miguel Freitas, vice president of scientific affairs at Danone North America. “It is evident that graduate students are leading the way with cutting-edge gut microbiome inquiries. At Danone North America, we are honored to help advance the field and support the future of these high-quality researchers.”