Thomas A. Tompkins, Research Director at the Rosell Institute from Microbiome and Probiotics by Lallemand, is joining the External Advisory Board of the Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) department at the University of Florida for the 2021-2023 term.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr Tompkins on the Board! His knowledge and passion will help shape the curricula of our students, the workforce of tomorrow. His long-standing experience and insights will bring new perspectives and ideas, key success factors for the future of our department,” said Susan S. Percival, Professor and Chair, UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition.
“I was very pleased to be invited to the Board. It demonstrates our strong commitment to excellent science,” said Dr Tompkins. “I will do my utmost to uphold and contribute to the mission and the vision of the Board,” he adds.
Dr Tompkins has been Research Director of the Rosell Institute from Microbiome and Probiotics within Lallemand Health Solutions since 1999, where he has established a scientific programme to evaluate the pre-clinical and clinical effects of probiotics. His research teams evaluate the safety, action, and the effects of probiotics in human cell systems, and novel in vivo models. His current focus is the role of the microbiome in neurological disorders and in women’s issues associated with healthy aging.
In particular, he is interested in identifying the impact of probiotics in modulating the functionality of the microbiome-gut-brain axis. He collaborates with several academic researchers to evaluate the clinical opportunities for the use of microbes in the alleviation of symptoms associated with behaviour, gastrointestinal and ageing disorders.
The Rosell Institute for Microbiome and Probiotics, Lallemand Health Solutions’ research and development centre located at the National Research Council of Canada in Montreal, develops partnerships with key scientific experts to study the human microbiome and how probiotic supplements can be used as a means to improve or maintain health.
