A gut feeling for science: Niloofar Razmgah’s next chapter in Berlin
After successfully defending her PhD thesis, “From Diet to Gut Resilience: Non-Digestible Carbohydrates Against Post-Weaning Diarrhea in Piglets,” at Aarhus University on 6 July 2026, Niloofar Razmgah has taken the next step in her research career by joining Professor Jürgen Zentek’s laboratory at Freie Universität Berlin as a postdoctoral researcher.
The move builds naturally on the work she began during her doctoral studies.
Originally from Iran, Niloofar completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees there before moving to Spain for an internship. She later joined Aarhus University, beginning her PhD during the COVID-19 period. It was here that she became part of the Pig Paradigm project.
Her research explored how diet can be used to improve gut health and reduce the need for antibiotics. Specifically, she worked with non-digestible carbohydrates—dietary components that animals cannot break down themselves, but which instead feed beneficial gut bacteria.
“It’s about feeding the microbiome, not just the animal,” she explains.
During her PhD, Niloofar evaluated seven types of these carbohydrates in laboratory studies before selecting three for further testing in piglets. Her work aimed to understand both how these compounds function in the gut and whether they could help prevent post-weaning diarrhea.
The results showed clear potential: by supporting beneficial gut bacteria, these carbohydrates can make it harder for harmful pathogens like E. coli to attach and cause disease. This approach could ultimately help reduce antibiotic use in livestock.
Beyond the research itself, Niloofar highlights the collaborative nature of the Pig Paradigm project as a key part of her experience.
“It was very international and multidisciplinary,” she says. “You learn how to work with different people and approaches.”
Through the project, she also gained experience in areas such as bioinformatics and metabolomics, while developing the communication and coordination skills needed for large-scale collaborations. These have proven valuable in her current role, which also involves partners from multiple countries.
Now in Berlin, she continues to work in a similar environment—building on both the scientific and collaborative foundations of her PhD.
Looking back, she emphasizes the importance of curiosity and openness in research.
“You work with very experienced people, but they’re still eager to learn,” she says. “You feel like you’re learning together.”
Her advice to future PhD students is simple: make the most of the people and the environment around you. “A PhD is not just about your project—it’s also about collaboration and what you learn from others.”
From Iran to Spain, Denmark, and now Germany, Niloofar’s journey reflects a combination of scientific focus and international experience. As she moves forward in Berlin, her work continues to connect nutrition, microbiology, and one of the big challenges in global health: reducing reliance on antibiotics.