Ailynne Sepulveda Gonzalez

Project Title: GiantLeaps-GutHealth

Overview: Ailynne is a Teagasc Walsh Scholar. Her PhD study is part of a Teagasc lead work package within the EU HORIZON-funded project GiantLeaps. Her PhD project aims to look at novel dietary proteins to accelerate the European diet's transition from animal-based to alternative proteins. This transition is critical to reducing the footprint of the food system in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, energy, water and land use. Ailynne's work will focus on novel proteins' digestion, health and wellnesses. She will test protein quality and their in vitro effect on satiety, gut health and muscle growth.

Ailynne is originally from Chile. She holds a bachelor's degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. She gained valuable experience working in the public healthcare system, specializing in non-communicable chronic diseases. Her exposure to potentially beneficial food components sparked her interest in studying their effects, leading her to pursue a master's degree in Human Nutrition and Healthy Food. Ailynne's professional goal is to leverage her background to contribute to testing and evaluating components that promote health and enhance the environmental sustainability of food systems.

Programme Area: Food Bioscience

Supervisors: Dr.Linda Giblin, Dr.Michael Callanan, and Dr. Myriam Grundy

Location: Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork

Funding Source: Giant Leaps project (EU Horizon)