Sophie Millar completed her doctorate studies in vascular and cannabinoid based medicines at the University of Nottingham, and is currently based in Brussels undertaking a Traineeship at the European Parliament Research Services. She is interested in communicating topics broadly related to drug development and health, and has contributed to a number of STEM outreach activities and articles.
Contributor: Sophie Millar
A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Dr Marike Kolossa-Gehring about Human Biomonitoring
Human Biomonitoring, a scientist’s opinion Interview with Dr Marike Kolossa-Gehring, biologist and toxicologist and got her PhD from the Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Germany. What is the HBM4EU mission and priorities? Marike Kolossa-Gehring: The mission of HBM4EU is to protect people in Europe from the exposure to hazardous chemicals and thereby improving human health. Pollutants like plasticisers, ...
Changing environment, changing health
Our environment and health are closely intertwined, and we must equip future generations with adaptive capacities to achieve sustainable human wellbeing on all fronts. One such environment is our chemical one. It is present in the products we use, the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Human biomonitoring is ...
A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Prof. Jana Klánová about Human Biomonitoring
Human Biomonitoring, a scientist’s opinion Interview with Prof. Jana Klánová, professor of environmental chemistry at Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, and a director of the RECETOX Centre of MU. Establishing exposure-health relationships seems like an enormous task. How are the teams actually going about this? Jana Klánová: This is not a task to be ...
The Microbiome gut brain axis and the rise of psychobiotics
Communication between our gut and our brain is a two-way street. A large part of the signals being sent from our intestines to our brain is thanks to the bacteria living inside us, our microbiome. Our gut microbes have been linked to anxiety and depression. Research is ongoing to see if we can manipulate our bacterial populations to benefit our mental health.
A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Dr. Ruairi Robertson about microbiome
Microbiome & psychobiotics, a scientist’s opinion Interview with Dr. Ruairi Robertson, Wellcome Trust Fellow at Queen Mary University of London. How might bacteria be affecting our mental health? What are the possible communication routes? Ruairi Robertson: There are a number routes through which the gastrointestinal tract and its microbiome interact with the brain. The gut ...
A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Dr. Jason A Martin about microbiome
Microbiome & psychobiotics, a scientist’s opinion Interview with Dr. Jason A Martin, Senior Postdoctoral Fellow at APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork. How does our diet influence our microbiome (and what should we be eating more of to help our gut microbiome)? Do you think the current mental health crisis could be linked to our ...
Alternative approaches to animal testing
In 1959, The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique was published by Russell and Burch, introducing the 3Rs concept (replacement, reduction, and refinement) regarding animal use in the scientific community. Just over 60 years later, it is timely to review progress to date and the future outlook regarding alternative approaches to animal testing.
A scientist’s opinion : Interview with Professor Maurice Whelan about animal testing
Animal testing, a scientist’s opinion Interview with Maurice Whelan, head of EURL ECVAM (European Union Reference Laboratory for alternatives to animal testing (EURL ECVAM) at the JRC (Joint Research Centre of the European Commission) in Ispra, Italy. How do you think progress is going on reducing animal use for scientific purposes, and what is the ...
