About the lab
Our approach
The microbes that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract are collectively termed the gut microbiota. Constant communication occurs at the gut-microbe interface, and various factors can influence the nature of this ecosystem, such as diet, exercise, medication, and genetics. In turn, shifts in the gut microbial community have lasting impact on our host systems. For instance, gut bacteria are crucial for nutrition, protection from infection, and proper development of the immune and nervous systems. Altered gut microbial composition can even alter neurological function, evidenced in contexts of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, autism, anxiety and depression.
It is quite clear that gut microbes have an impact. However, untangling this web between a dense microbial community and complex host systems is hard. Historically, most gut microbiota studies have been correlational between disease and microbial communities, making it impossible to establish either effect or mechanism.
Our solution to this important problem is to study the gut microbiota from a functional viewpoint: directly studying metabolic signal output. Lots of host and dietary compounds are chemically transformed by the gut bacteria into a pool of molecules that can serve as signals in microbe-host communication. Measuring and studying these byproducts can lead to solid answers about roles of the gut microbiota.
Our prior work has shown that these gut-derived pathways can be successful targets for modulating host responses. We are expanding this work by studying additional bacterial signals and their effects on us.
Brittany Needham, PhD
Lab members
Brittany Needham, PhD
Brittany Needham, PhD
Brittany Needham, PhD
Principle Investigator
I did my graduate work at UT Austin studying bacterial cell surfaces in Stephen Trent's lab, followed by postdoc work at Caltech studying the gut-brain axis in Sarkis Mazmanian's lab. I find being a scientist to be fascinating and rewarding, and am lucky to have great lab members answering new questions about gut bac
Principle Investigator
I did my graduate work at UT Austin studying bacterial cell surfaces in Stephen Trent's lab, followed by postdoc work at Caltech studying the gut-brain axis in Sarkis Mazmanian's lab. I find being a scientist to be fascinating and rewarding, and am lucky to have great lab members answering new questions about gut bacterial signaling. When I'm not in the lab I'm outside with my 3 kids, husband, and puppy who likely needs a haircut.
Alyssa Conrad
Brittany Needham, PhD
Brittany Needham, PhD
Lab manager, Researcher
I went to college at Indiana Wesleyan University and struggled to find my niche in the biology field. I began doing microbiology research focusing on the ability of essential oils to inhibit or kill pathogenic bacteria. I fell in love with microbiology and worked two jobs after college that focused mainly on food mi
Lab manager, Researcher
I went to college at Indiana Wesleyan University and struggled to find my niche in the biology field. I began doing microbiology research focusing on the ability of essential oils to inhibit or kill pathogenic bacteria. I fell in love with microbiology and worked two jobs after college that focused mainly on food microbiology. Both jobs provided valuable knowledge but my first job specifically gave me a great understanding of various types of probiotic cultures, which has given me a unique perspective in the Needham lab. I am very excited to return to academia after working in the science industry for the past two years and to have a part in innovative research.
Outside of work I enjoy hanging out with my horse, Jake, birdwatching, and crocheting.
Precious Parker
Precious Parker
Precious Parker
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
My name is Precious Parker, I graduated from Indiana Northwest university in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. I am now attending Unity College pursing my master’s degree in animal science and behavior. I love science and the aspect of it. My favorite quote about science is by Albert Szen
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
My name is Precious Parker, I graduated from Indiana Northwest university in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in biology. I am now attending Unity College pursing my master’s degree in animal science and behavior. I love science and the aspect of it. My favorite quote about science is by Albert Szent-Gyorgyi. He said, “Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.”
Andrew Ortega
Precious Parker
Precious Parker
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
My name is Andrew Ortega, I luckily am a part-time technician in the Needham lab as well as another lab in the same department. I graduated from the University of Utah in 2022 and am glad to continue to pursue my passion for research here. I'm not totally sure where I picture myself to be in the
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
My name is Andrew Ortega, I luckily am a part-time technician in the Needham lab as well as another lab in the same department. I graduated from the University of Utah in 2022 and am glad to continue to pursue my passion for research here. I'm not totally sure where I picture myself to be in the next few years, but I do love both of my labs and lab work I currently do, so I just plan to keep that ball rolling!
Anne Tanner, PhD
Anne Tanner, PhD
Anne Tanner, PhD
Postdoctoral Scholar
I got my PhD in virology and have been working in biotech for the last few years, developing strategies for the detection, identification, and prevention of infectious disease. I'm excited to incorporate this background into my current and future work.
Danae Koslovsky
Anne Tanner, PhD
Anne Tanner, PhD
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
I graduated with my B.S. in Biology from Duke University in 2023. I have a strong interest in neuroscience and animal behavior. I'm lucky to be able to continue my passion for biological research with the Needham lab and one other lab in the neuroscience department. When I'm not working, I like s
Research Technician, Gnotobiotic Specialist
I graduated with my B.S. in Biology from Duke University in 2023. I have a strong interest in neuroscience and animal behavior. I'm lucky to be able to continue my passion for biological research with the Needham lab and one other lab in the neuroscience department. When I'm not working, I like spending time outdoors looking for snakes and salamanders, reading, and watching TV with my cat.
Khushi Patel
Khushi Patel
Khushi Patel
Undergraduate Researcher
My name is Khushi Patel and currently finishing up my Bachelors in Neuroscience and Biology. I am deeply passionate about neuroscience research and am thankful for the opportunity to continue to research in Dr. Needham’s lab. Outside lab, I love traveling, listening to Rnb and playing volleyball.
Jesse Guraya
Khushi Patel
Khushi Patel
Undergraduate Researcher
Hi, I’m Jesse Guraya! I love anything microbiology-related and my dog Bruno!