Kate joined Optibac in 2018 and plays a key role in our Technical Team as a Training Specialist, where she helps translate complex science into clear, accessible knowledge for healthcare professionals and consumers alike.
Kate holds a PhD in Food and Microbial Sciences from the University of Reading, where she conducted pioneering microbiome research within Professor Glenn Gibson’s esteemed group. Her doctoral thesis explored the synthesis and cholesterol-lowering effects of novel prebiotics, developed using reverse enzyme synthesis from probiotic microbes. Her outstanding contributions to science communication during her PhD earned her the Yakult ‘PhD Student of the Year’ award.
A passionate science communicator, Kate has appeared on podcasts and radio to discuss the child microbiome, and her insights have been featured in major publications including Women’s Health, The Guardian, The Telegraph, and The Daily Mail.