A Special Interview with MRR’s Newly Joined Junior Editor---Dr. Fatima Pereira from the University of Southampton

On October 16, 2024, the Editorial Office of Microbiome Research Reports (MRR) was delighted to have a special interview with the journal’s newly joined Junior Editor---Dr. Fatima Pereira from the University of Southampton, UK. 

About Dr. Fatima Pereira

Dr. Fatima Pereira obtained her PhD in Molecular Biology from the NOVA University of Lisbon in Portugal, where she investigated the molecular bases underlying the pathogenesis of the gut pathogen Clostridioides difficile. This work sparked her interest in understanding how resident microbes modulate infection resistance. She then moved to the University of Vienna, Austria, with a Marie-SkLodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship to investigate the mechanisms of microbiota-mediated colonization resistance. As a Senior Postdoctoral fellow, Dr. Pereira secured major funding from the Austrian Science Fund to study how the microbiomes of mammals and other vertebrates affect gut inflammation, nutrition, and growth. In August 2022, Dr. Pereira joined the University of Southampton, UK, as a Lecturer/Assistant Professor, and established her own research group there. Her current research integrates single-cell activity methods, molecular biology, and omics to investigate how diet and medication influence gut microbiome function. She also serves as Editor and Reviewer for various journals in the fields of microbiology, systems microbiology, and microbial ecology.

Interview Questions:

1. What does your research mainly focus on and what inspired you to pursue this field?

2. How have single-cell techniques and metagenomics enhanced your understanding of microbial physiology?

3. Can you elaborate on the significance of drug-microbiome interactions for human health?

4. What challenges have you encountered while collaborating with chemists and engineers on microbiome analysis tools?

5. In your view, what are the most promising emerging trends in microbiome research?

Watch the Following Video for Dr. Fatima Pereira's Answers:

Editor: Fiona Yin
Language Editor: Catherine Yang
Production Editor: Yan Zhang
Respectfully Submitted by the Editorial Office of Microbiome Research Reports