Dr. Caitlin Cowan
Dr. Caitlin Cowan of the Faculty of Science is an emerging leadership researcher at the NHMRC who takes a translational approach to the study of the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
As a psychologist and neuroscientist, Dr. Cowan is researching how the microbiome (intestinal flora) can influence human emotions and behavior.
She is especially interested in early childhood, when the microbiome and brain are still growing, investigating whether some microbes can predict a happy, healthy child, or whether there are microbes related to anxiety, hyperactivity, or other behavioral problems.
Once more is known about these relationships, tests will be performed to find out if treatments that improve the microbiome, such as changes in diet, supplements, or some of the same insects, have any effect on behavior.
Ultimately, the goal of Dr. Cowan’s research is to improve the mental health of young children to give them the best opportunity to become happy, healthy adults.
Dr. Cowan’s PhD, which he completed at UNSW under the supervision of Professor Rick Richardson, examined the use of a probiotic formulation to improve behavioral, neuronal, and physical markers of development in stressed rats. She continued her research as a Marie Curie postdoctoral researcher in the laboratory of Professor John Cryan and Professor Ted Dinan at APC Microbiome Ireland, where her work focused on the importance of the early microbiota in the formation of neurodevelopmental outcomes. .