The ISAPP Students and Fellows Association (ISAPP-SFA) was created in 2009 as an initiative to link trainees working in fields related to probiotics, prebiotics and health effects of commensal microbes. We operate as a student-led branch of our parent group, ISAPP (www.isappscience.org). ISAPP aims to advance scientific excellence in probiotics and prebiotics.

Our goal as ISAPP-SFA is to create an interactive network of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows across the globe working on probiotics, prebiotics or related fields, and thus promote real-time interactions, intellectual and technical exchanges, and other networking opportunities for our members. We intend to act as a resource for ISAPP and the industry, providing a communication platform to facilitate scientific discussions, internships and employment opportunities among qualified researchers in the field.

The membership application form for ISAPP-SFA is available here. You can contact us at isappsfa99@gmail.com or visit our Facebook / Twitter pages.

ISAPP, our parent organization, now has a Facebook page and a monthly newsletter! Like their page here and subscribe to the newsletter here for even more news from the leading experts in the field of probiotics and prebiotics.

Executive Committee ISAPP-SFA 2025-2026

Postdoctoral Researcher in Food and Nutritional Sciences at The University of Reading, UK.

Current research: I am interested in understanding the prebiotic effects of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) in adult gut microbiomes, with a particular focus on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). I combine in vitro and in vivo approaches to assess the influence of HMOs on the gut microbiome through metabolic and microbial profiling, and subsequent impact on human health. I hope to provide some clarity on the potential of HMOs as therapy option in IBS through this work.

"Being supervised by Prof. Glenn Gibson and Associate Prof. Anisha Wijeyesekera throughout my PhD really highlighted the impact of ISAPPs' work in the field. I attended the 2023 meeting in Denver and finally realised what the hype was all about. The SFA offers a unique opportunity for early career researchers to network in a safe and encouraging environment, unlike any other association. I look forward to collaborating with ISAPP stakeholders as part of the SFA Committee and promote public engagement and understanding of probiotic, prebiotic, synbiotic, postbiotic and fermented food research."

Postdoctoral Researcher at Food and Nutrition Biotechnology Department, National Agri-Food and Biomanufacturing Institute (iBRIC-NABI), India.

Current Research: My research centers on investigating protein-rich, plant-based fermented foods as valuable sources of bioactive compounds with the potential to deliver targeted health benefits. A key focus of my work is the generation of bioactive peptides during fermentation and the exploration of how peptide chemistry influences their gastrointestinal stability and functional properties. By leveraging microbial bioprocesses, I aim to contribute to the development of a sustainable food ecosystem, positioning fermented foods as affordable, globally accessible sources of functional proteins.

“I was introduced to ISAPP by my Ph.D. supervisor, Dr. Amit Kumar Rai, who encouraged and supported my successful application for the prestigious Gregor Reid Award for Outstanding Scholars in Developing Nations. Attending the 2024 ISAPP meeting in Cork was a transformative experience, where I was captivated by the vibrant exchange between academic and industry experts, as well as the dynamic involvement of the ISAPP-SFA members. The ISAPP Annual Meetings serve as an invaluable platform, bringing together researchers from across the globe to share their findings, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and push the boundaries of biotics and fermented food research.”

Postdoctoral Researcher at Professor Paul Ross’ bacteriocin lab at APC Microbiome Ireland.

resResearch Interests: My research is centred around the role of bacteriocins, which are small ribosomally-encoded antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria, and their subsequent role within the microbiome. My research focuses on exploiting their effectiveness as selective antibacterial agents to curate the microbiota to tackle AMR and climate change. Interests include functional, ecological and evolutionary genomics, microbial ecology and bacterial competition.

“I was lucky enough to attend my first ISAPP conference in 2022, and I found ISAPP-SFA was an amazing opportunity to network and brainstorm with like-minded early career researchers. The convergence of industry, experts and early-career researchers under one roof allows opportunities for cross-discipline collaboration under one common belief - a belief in probiotic, prebiotic, postbiotic and synbiotic science."

PhD candidate from the University of Yoaunde I, Cameroon and the University of Antwerp, Belgium

I am deeply passionate about women’s health research and about applying a citizen science approach that actively engages participants throughout the scientific process, helping to break taboos surrounding intimate topics. I am equally committed to science communication—not only within scientific communities but also with the broader public—in order to ensure that research findings are accessible, understandable, and impactful for all.

My research focuses on the in-depth analysis of the vaginal microbiome in Central Africa, specifically Cameroon. The goal is to characterize its ecological profile and to investigate beneficial Lactobacillus species that may serve as biotherapeutics or probiotics for combating bacterial vaginosis, a condition that remains highly prevalent across the African continent.

“I attended my first ISAPP meeting in Banff, Canada, in 2025. It was an incredible experience, both for the scientific content of the conference and the diverse social activities that allowed me to network with inspiring people. The sessions provided valuable insights into current advances in probiotics, prebiotics, and microbiome research, while the informal gatherings created opportunities to exchange ideas and build meaningful collaborations. I feel truly grateful to be part of the Executive Committee, and I aim to contribute to increasing global awareness of SFA-ISAAP and strengthening our collective impact in the field of probiotic.”

Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Pathobiology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

My research interests focus on how microbial communities function, interact, and shape host biology. I’m particularly interested in how shifts in community structure alter microbial metabolism and, in turn, influence host physiology, including cognition and behavior through the gut-brain axis. I also study how perturbations—nutritional, environmental, and disease-related—disrupt these ecosystems and help reveal causal links between microbes and health. At the core, I’m motivated by deepening our understanding of how microbes and humans shape one another for the next step.

“I’ve been fortunate to attend ISAPP twice, my first meeting in Spain 2022 and recently in Canada 2025. The ISAPP-SFA community has been one of the most supportive and inspiring groups I’ve encountered, and it makes the often-daunting experience of conference networking feel seamless. Even with an intimidating mix of early-career researchers, industry scientists, and established experts, the conference environment remains genuinely welcoming. I look forward to continuing to learn from and contribute to future ISAPP meetings.”