INFLUENCE OF GUT MICROBES AND INFLAMMATION ON BRAIN FUNCTION AND BEHAVIOUR IN AUTISM
With
Angela Renata Jiménez Perez,
PhD Candidate,
Gut-Brain Axis Laboratory, RMIT University
Melbourne, Australia
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Filmed in Melbourne, Australia | August 2026
Third-year PhD candidate Angela Jimenez is part of the Gut-Brain Axis Laboratory at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. Angela holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience (Honours) from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), and her doctoral research is currently supported by the RMIT–Mexico International Scholarship program.
Angela’s project focuses on describing how gut microbes and inflammation influence brain function and behaviour in autism. Using a mouse model that carries an autism-associated gene variant, she investigates how inflammatory challenges alter behaviour and brain function. Her work has been presented at both national and international forums, including the Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS) annual meeting in 2025 and the FENS Forum 2026 in Barcelona.
A central aspect of her work explores how metabolites produced by bacteria in the gut can influence neurobiological responses, with the long-term aim of identifying microbiota-targeted therapeutic strategies for individuals with high-support needs autism.
Angela’s broader scientific objective is to advance mechanistic understanding of how other systems, particularly the immune system and microbiome, contribute to behavioural outcomes in neurodevelopmental conditions. She aims to bridge fundamental neurobiology with translational approaches that can lead to future therapeutic development.
Source: Supplied
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Novel therapies & next-gen medical devices in cardiovascular & vascular disease management
Professor Shirley Jansen AM is a distinguished vascular and endovascular surgeon whose career spans clinical leadership, academic excellence, and pioneering research. She currently holds the Lawrence-Brown Chair of Vascular Surgery at Curtin University’s School of Population Health and serves as Head of the Department of Vascular Surgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, a role she has held since 2015. In addition, she is the Director of the Heart & Vascular Research Institute at the Harry Perkins Institute for Medical Research. Her early career was marked by prestigious fellowships, including a British Heart Foundation Research Fellowship (1996), and multiple international travelling fellowships from leading surgical societies and industry sponsors between 2001 and 2002.
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Engineered proteins to repair or regrow damaged heart muscle cells and tissue
Associate Professor Dan Hesselson leads the Centre for Biomedical AI at the Centenary Institute.
He is an internationally trained research leader in regenerative medicine, focusing on cells and organs affected by heart disease, diabetes and cancer. His work uses insights from the study of basic regenerative processes to identify novel therapeutic targets for these devastating diseases.
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Antimicrobial technologies & drug delivery platforms
Dr Aaron Elbourne is an ARC DECRA Fellow, Jack Brockhoff ECR Fellow, and Associate Professor within the School of Science at STEM Hub. A leader in nanomaterials, soft matter science, and interface research, Aaron’s work addresses critical challenges in health and the environment.
With a strong focus on translational research, Aaron’s work bridges the gap between fundamental science and practical applications. His leadership in creating innovative technologies, fostering academic-industry partnerships, and empowering future researchers underscores his commitment to advancing science and creating a meaningful impact.
