Science With a Twist | More Than a Gut Feeling: What We Actually Know About the Microbome

The gut microbiome gets credit for everything from digestion to mood these days—but how much of that holds up to research? Dr. Jay Vornhagen studies how bacteria capable of causing disease, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, manage to live in a healthy gut undetected, and what keeps them from taking over.

What to Expect: Science With A Twist (SWAT) is a casual science and networking event hosted by the Indiana Academy of Science. These events bring together scientists, educators, engineers, students, and community members for informal conversations about science in a relaxed setting. Talks are short and accessible—no scientific background required, just curiosity!

About the Speaker: Jay Vornhagen, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of microbiology and immunology at the Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He received his B.S. in microbiology from the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. in pathobiology from the University of Washington. His research focuses on understanding how bacteria with pathogenic potential can live in the gut, especially in the context of a healthy gut microbiome—with particular interest in K. pneumoniae gut colonization and the host and microbial factors that reduce its fitness or prevent it from colonizing in the first place.