Our team

Jonathan Swann is a Professor of Biomolecular Medicine in the School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Southampton. For over 20 years he has led an integrated microbial and metabolic profiling-based research programme to understand the influence of the gut microbiota on the mammalian metabolic system and its implications for development, health, and disease with a specific interest in the gut-immune-brain axis. He has received funding from national and international research councils, charities and industry partners to explore the microbial influence on emotional behaviour, cognitive function, neurodevelopment, neurological dysfunction and neurodegeneration. His research also explores the potential to modulate the GIBA through nutritional, lifestyle, and pharmaceutical interventions. He is an Associate Editor for the journals, Microbiome and Biofilms and Microbiomes, and he sits on the Scientific and Organising committees for Mind, Mood and Microbes, the international conference on the microbiota-gut-brain axis.

Jessica Teeling is a Professor of Experimental Neuroimmunology at the University of Southampton. She leads a dynamic research group exploring how systemic inflammation, including gut infections, affects brain function. Her team integrates in vivo models and human cohort studies to investigate neuroinflammation in dementia, aiming to develop innovative therapeutic strategies and identify diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Her research is supported by UK Research and Innovation, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society, the Lewy Body Society, and industry partners.

Aimee Parker is the Early Career Research lead for the GIBA Network+. Following a PhD in Immunology at the University of Cambridge, Aimee helped to develop interdisciplinary approaches to intestinal stem behaviour in health and disease at the Institute of Food Research. As a Senior Research Scientist at the Quadram Institute, Aimee’s work has determined a key role for the gut microbiota in regulating age-associated inflammation. Her current research as a BBSRC Fellow at the Quadram Institute explores how the microbiota can be modulated to protect the ageing eye and brain.

Alex is a Group Leader at the University of Cambridge, where he leads a research team developing and applying bioinformatics approaches to understand the human microbiome’s role in health and disease. Using large-scale metagenomic methods, his work led to the discovery of thousands of uncultivated bacteria and viruses in the human gut microbiome. Since 2022, Alex has held an MRC Career Development Award fellowship dedicated to characterising the relevance of this newly uncovered microbial diversity to human health and disease. His current research explores the potential of the human microbiome for disease prediction, diagnosis, and treatment, with projects focusing on neurodegenerative diseases and ageing.

Franziska Denk is a Reader at King’s College London, where she works on neuro-immune-stromal cell interactions in the context of chronic pain. Her team uses transgenic models, stem cell derived human cell culture systems and high-throughput molecular analyses Franziska’s current work is funded by the Wellcome Trust and UKRI and includes a project to understand the neural basis of visceral pain via the ADVANTAGE consortium, an MRC/ Versus Arthritis-funded Advanced Pain Discovery Platform. Franziska will bring her peripheral nervous system expertise to the GIBA+ Network+, ensuring that our perspective extends beyond the brain.

With a background in biomedical science, immunology and biochemistry, Rosie is a research and innovation professional with a deep commitment to advancing scientific knowledge through rigorous data collection, analysis and ethical research practices. Rosie has led multidisciplinary projects across academic, clinical and industry settings. As the GIBA Network+ manager, Rosie will oversee day-to-day operations of the network while ensuring compliance and maintaining data integrity. Rosie will be coordinating network events, bringing together members of the public, clinicians, researchers and policymakers to advance GIBA-related science and innovation.