Dr Olla Al-Jaibaji

(She/Her)

Principal Investigator and Research Scientist

Contact via email

Synthetic biology and biosynthetic pathways

Health benefits of dietary polyphenols

I am a biomedical researcher with a multidisciplinary background in stem cell biology, the gut microbiome, and nutritional science.

I am a biomedical researcher with a multidisciplinary background in stem cell biology, the gut microbiome, and nutritional science. I completed my PhD at Newcastle University, where I focused on the use of stem cells to treat corneal injuries.

Since then, I have worked in project management and gut microbiome research, contributing to projects aimed at understanding the complex relationship between microbes and human health.

I am currently the Principal Investigator of the HARVEST study, which explores how personalized daily recipes—delivered via a dietary app—can impact blood iron levels. The study also investigates how consuming salad greens grown hydroponically and biofortified with vitamin B12 may influence B12 levels in women of childbearing age who follow a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.

My current research focuses on B12 biofortification in plants as a strategy to address micronutrient deficiencies. I am passionate about sustainable nutrition, the potential of food-based interventions, and using technology to support dietary behavior change.

Research areas

  • Nutritional Biofortification and Micronutrient Delivery

Developing plant-based strategies to enhance vitamin B12 content in foods, aiming to address deficiencies in vegan and vegetarian populations.

  •  Personalised Nutrition and Dietary Intervention

Investigating the impact of tailored dietary approaches on micronutrient status, with a focus on iron and vitamin B12 levels in women of childbearing age.

  • Gut Microbiome and Nutrient Absorption

Exploring the interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and nutrient bioavailability to inform sustainable nutrition strategies.

Burgos G, Liria R, Zeder C, Kroon PA, Hareau G, Penny M, Dainty J, Al-Jaibaji O, Boy E, Mithen R, Hurrell RF, Salas E, Zum Felde, Zimmermann MB, Fairweather-Tait . (2023)

Total Iron Absorbed from Iron-Biofortified Potatoes Is Higher than that from Nonbiofortified Potatoes: A Randomized Trial Using Stable Iron Isotopes in Women from the Peruvian Highlands.

The Journal of nutrition, 153, 1710-1717


View Publication

Liria-Domínguez R, Penny M, Kroon PA, Burgos G, Dainty J, Zeder C, Zimmermann MB, King J, Mithen R, Boy E, Al-Jaibaji O, Fairweather-Tait . (2023)

Biofortified Yellow-Fleshed Potatoes Provide More Absorbable Zinc than a Commonly Consumed Variety: A Randomized Trial Using Stable Isotopes in Women in the Peruvian Highlands.

The Journal of Nutrition


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