Linda Guantai (2023 Cohort) highlighting the role of the gut microbiome in human health

During British Science Week 2025, SoCoBio DTP students took part in the School of Biological Sciences Outreach Festival at Winchester Science Centre (w/c 10th March). This exciting event welcomed schools for a day of hands-on science, where undergraduate and PhD students engaged young visitors through creative, interactive activities.

Students were involved in a range of exhibits designed to translate complex research into accessible, playful learning experiences. Topics spanned the biological sciences, with each activity offering children the chance to explore scientific ideas in a fun and memorable way.

Among the participants was Linda Guantai, who supported an activity highlighting the role of the gut microbiome in human health. Children created colourful microbes using plasticine, made food choices from “good” and “bad” menus, and discovered how these choices could affect the health of their gut microbiota.

Linda is undertaking her PhD under the BBSRC’s Bioscience for an Integrated Understanding of Health theme. Her research uses high-throughput experimental approaches to study how Parkinson’s disease medications influence the composition, activity, and interactions of the human gut microbiome. Through this outreach event, supported by SoCoBio DTP and IFLS, she helped bring microbiome science to life for children, sharing her enthusiasm for research and encouraging curiosity in the next generation of scientists.