Research

Dr Ben Nichols

Research Associate

I am a postdoctoral research assistant in the department of Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow. My role involves the processing and analysis of gut microbiome DNA data for a number of different projects within the department. My PhD in Bioinformatics was also obtained at the University of Glasgow and prior to that I studied Mathematics and Statistics at Newcastle University where I was awarded an integrated bachelor's and master's degree (MMathStat).

Dr Konstantinos Gkikas

Postdoctoral Research Assistant

Dr Konstantinos Gkikas is a postdoctoral research assistant in Prof Gerasimidis' lab. Dr Gkikas is an early career researcher with a strong interest in the role of diet in the managment of gastrointestinal conditions. He is currently leading the iPENS trial, a multicentre, randomised controlled trial, in children with Crohn's disease. The trial aims to explore dietary triggers of gut inflammation and their interaction with the gut microbiome and immune host signitures. During his PhD, he explored the role of diet in different phases of onset, managment, and exascerbation of Crohn's disease. He holds a Bsc in Nutrition and Dietetics from Harokopio University in Greece, and an Msc in Human Nutrition with specialisation in clinical nutrition from the University of Glasgow. He is a member of several scientific associations (ie. ECCO, ESPHAGAN), an affiliate nutritionist in the UK, and a registered dietician in Greece. 

Bernadette White

Post Doctoral Researcher

Bernadette White holds an Integrated Master’s degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Warwick and recently completed her PhD at the at the University of Glasgow under the supervision of Prof. Gerasimidis. Bernadette’s main research interests focus on the impact of using nutritional therapy alongside biologics therapy in the induction and maintenance of remission of Crohn's disease. She currently leads the Biologics and Partial Enteral Nutrition Study (BIOPIC).

Catarina Fandinga

Research Associate

I completed my BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics in Portugal in 2016 and have since built a career as a registered dietitian in clinical nutrition. I specialise in gastroenterology, in both adult and paediatric care, but I also have experience in paediatric cardiology and paediatric intensive care. Whilst working in the NHS, I took on a role in clinical research and completed an NIHR Internship with the Wessex ARC where I studied the impact of a nutrition pathway on the growth of infants with congenital heart disease. I joined the University of Glasgow in February 2024 to work as a research associate in the OCEaN trial, as part of Professor Gerasimidis’ group. My research interests include IBD nutrition, specifically in understanding the therapeutic role of diet in the management of gut inflammation and its relation with the microbiome, but also in how to translate clinical research into practical advice for patient populations and healthcare professionals.

Caroline Kerbiriou

Postdoctoral Research Associate

I graduated a BSc in Cell Biology and Animal Physiology from Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France in 2015, before completing an MSc in Digestive Health and Nutrition in 2017. During the MSc, I studied the gut microbiome and immune system in intestinal and metabolic diseases including Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) and Diabetes. In 2017, I started my PhD at the University of Glasgow. My project focused on studying the pathophysiology of non-IgE-mediated Cow's Milk Protein Allergy by profiling the gut microbiome and immune system in infants to use as a non-invasive diagnostic method.

Dr Maria Lima

Research Associate 

Maria is a skilled biological scientist with extensive research experience in nutritional sciences, assay development, and analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry, proteomics, and metabolomics. She is a post-doctoral researcher at the IPENS clinical trial and has collaborated with both academia and industry to advance research in gut health, functional foods, and biomarker discovery. She is passionate about translating scientific innovation into real-world impact.

Dr Vaios Svolos

Research Associate

I am a post doctoral research associate working at the University of Glasgow. My project focuses on the dietary manipulation of the gut microbiome and the development of a novel, solid food-based, dietary treatment for Crohn's disease. I have graduated a Bsc in Dietetics and Human Nutrition from Harokopio University of Athens and completed my postgraduate studies with an Msc in Human Nutrition with specialisation in Clinical Nutrition from University of Glasgow. I am a registered dietitian in Greece.