Vanessa Leone, PhD

The Leone lab studies host-microbe interactions using preclinical models, including germ-free mouse technology. Dr. Leone currently holds a National Institutes of Health Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases K01 Mentored Research Scientist Career Development Award, focusing on determining the mechanism of how diet-induced gut microbes shape and maintain host circadian clock function in the context of gut mucosal health with a specific emphasis on antimicrobial peptides. The overall goals of Leone’s research are to identify novel microbiome-derived strategies that can be used to improve the metabolic health of humans and companion animals as well as promote agricultural animal immune, health, and growth/production outcomes.

As a new member of the Meat Science and Animal Biologics Discovery Program, Leone is working with academic and industry partners to identify value-added molecules or materials derived from animal co-products, including microbes & microbially-derived metabolites, that can be used both in biomedical and animal agriculture to improve health and wellness. She has extensive experience teaching and mentoring at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels and is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in the fields of Animal & Dairy Sciences.