DC3: A blinded placebo-controlled human pilot study for the investigation of the role of bilberry and olive bioactives on oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory markers – Relevance in a South-European population
Supervisor: Prof. Nikolaos Tentolouris
Co-Supervisors: Prof. Nina Hermans, Natural Products & Food Research and Analysis – Pharmaceutical Technology (NatuRAPT), University of Antwerp, Belgium (Academic); Dr. Job Tchoumtchoua, CELABOR, Herve, Belgium (Industrial)
Secondments: This project is carried out in strong collaboration with the following groups, and visits to their laboratories are expected during the project:
- Natural Products & Food Research and Analysis – Pharmaceutical Technology (NatuRAPT), University of Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath (UBath), United Kingdom
- CELABOR, Herve, Belgium
Project description
My doctoral research evaluates the effects of bioactive compounds from bilberries and olives on oxidative stress and inflammation in humans, exploring their role in disease prevention and clinical outcomes.
Within the BioTransform network, my responsibilities include designing and conducting a human pilot study, contributing to biomarker analysis, and collaborating with international partners across academia and industry. I also engage in multidisciplinary training and secondments, integrating clinical research with metabolomics, microbiome science, and translational nutrition.
Through this work, I aim to contribute to the development of evidence-based nutritional strategies that improve clinical outcomes and support disease prevention.
Professional background
My background combines Dietetics and Biomedical Sciences, with clinical experience in hospital settings and research focused on nutritional assessment and the integration of innovative tools in healthcare.