Zoi Chasapopoulou

Originally from Greece, I set off on my (scientific) odyssey in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the Democritus University of Thrace. An Erasmus+ Τraineeship at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin ignited my spark to study Neurosciences there for my Masters, too.

With the ever-growing scientific evidence showcasing a link between our diet, gut microbiome and various diseases, along with a famous quote attributed to the Ancient Greek physician Hippocrates “All disease begins in the gut”, it was clear to me that during my Ph.D. I had to follow my gut feeling and pursue my curiosity to study the gut-brain axis link to neurodegeneration. In the Salta group, through my JPND-funded project, I aim to address the potential effect of early lifestyle interventions on the adult hippocampal neurogenesis in the context of Alzheimer’s disease.

In my free time I enjoy deep conversations, photowalks, reading books, and yoga. I´d add cooking, but for me it is not merely a hobby; Mediterranean diet is an integral part of my routine. “We are what we eat” is a message that I´d like to convey through and beyond my project.