WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.,
April 18, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- For
the seventh year in a row, Dannon®, as a part of Danone
North America, has demonstrated their commitment to science and
education through the Dannon® Gut Microbiome, Yogurt and
Probiotics Fellowship Grant Program. This year's honorees are
Caroline Kelsey from
the University of Virginia
and Yeonwoo Lebovitz from Virginia
Tech. A committee of nutrition scientists selected the
two winners based on the quality of their proposals, faculty
recommendations and each of their studies' value to human health
and wellness. Kelsey and Lebovitz will each receive $25,000 to help fund their unique and independent
studies of yogurt, probiotics and the human gut microbiome.
"The level of innovation and originality of the proposals was
unprecedented," said Miguel Freitas,
PhD, Vice President of Scientific Affairs at Danone North America.
"It is evident that graduate students are leading the way with
cutting-edge gut microbiome inquiries. At Danone North America, we
are honored to help advance the field and support the future of
these high-quality researchers."
The Dannon® Fellowship Grant was established in 2010
with the intention to provide funding for novel studies of yogurt,
probiotics and the gut microbiome. As such, Kelsey's research will
examine how gut bacteria and food intake influence brain
development, and Lebovitz's research will assess how a mother's gut
microbiome can affect and protect their baby's neurological
development. Both proposals employ contemporary methodology that
will inform future investigations and enhance the understanding of
how the gut influences key components of human health.
"The Dannon® grant represents valuable
affirmation from the greater yogurt and probiotics field that my
research focus on the intersection of maternal health, gut
microbiome, and neurodevelopment is a worthy area of study with
real world relevance," said Yeonwoo Lebovitz, a doctoral candidate
in Translational Biology, Medicine, and Health at Virginia Tech. "I am thrilled to receive
recognition from the esteemed panel of experts and to join the
ranks of previous Dannon® Fellows."
The impact of yogurt, probiotics and the gut microbiome has
exceeded expectations and has been tied to brain, digestive and
immune function. Unsurprisingly, consumer interest in fermented
foods and gut health has soared – and top research institutions are
pioneering new ways to study various aspects of its power and
potential.
"My study is the first to examine how both diet and the gut
microbiome influence infant social-emotional and brain development
over the first year of life," said Caroline
Kelsey, PhD candidate in Developmental Psychology at the
University of Virginia. "This project
also promises to inform the development of probiotics."
"Dannon®, as a part of Danone North America, strives
to nurture advances in yogurt, probiotic and gut microbiome
science," adds Dr. Freitas. "We recognize that supporting the
pursuit of academic and scientific excellence will lead to
meaningful advancements in the study of human health."
About the 2017-2018 Dannon® Fellowship
Grant
All applicants submitted an application that included
answers to essay questions, recommendations from two faculty
members, and proof of good academic standing. Students were
required to be incoming or current graduate students who
demonstrated an interest in exploring the gut microbiome,
probiotics and/or yogurt. They were also required to be at least 18
years of age, show proof of U.S. residence, and be able to utilize
the scholarship funds during 2018 at an accredited US
institution.
About Danone North America
Danone North America
is a Certified B Corporation business unit of Danone and operates
in the U.S. from headquarter offices in White Plains, NY and Broomfield,
CO. Danone North America was formed as a Public Benefit
Corporation in 2017 to nourish people, communities and the world
through its diverse portfolio of healthful dairy- and plant-based
products, coffee creamers and beverages. Its portfolio of brands
includes: Activia®, DanActive®,
Danimals®, Dannon®, Danonino®,
Danone®, Earthbound Farm®, Horizon
Organic® premium dairy products, International
Delight® coffee creamers and iced coffee, Light &
Fit®, Oikos® Greek yogurt, Silk®
plant-based foods and beverages, So Delicious® Dairy
Free, Vega® and
Wallaby® Organic. The mission of the Company is to bring
health through food to as many people as possible. For more
information, please visit DanoneNorthAmerica.com.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Baber
212-941-1414
sbaber@pollock-pr.com
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dannon-awards-50-000-in-student-grants-to-further-yogurt-and-gut-microbiome-exploration-300631789.html
SOURCE Danone North America