This Wednesday at CHRF, we had the pleasure of welcoming a special guest, Dr. Jessica A. Grembi! She is an Assistant Professor at Penn State University and a computational microbiologist whose work focuses on the complex interactions between gut health and child growth outcomes.

Dr. Grembi presented her team’s research to better understand environmental enteropathy using a small intestine sampling device. She emphasized that while stool samples and endoscopy are commonly used, they offer limited insight into understanding gut health. To address these limitations, she and her team uses a tiny, ingestible capsule, which offers a safe, non-invasive way to explore the small intestine, that gives a deeper understanding of how gut microorganisms impact human physiology. After early publications, her team is now using the device in pregnant women in Bangladesh and other sites to see how different health interventions affect the mother’s gut health, which plays a crucial role in shaping the health and growth of her child.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from Dr. Grembi; her microbiome talk to our infectious disease research team sparked engaging conversations, and it was exciting to see how the two fields can overlap in meaningful ways. At CHRF, we’re always eager to learn, grow, and be part of research that moves us toward healthier futures for all!