Johanna Jönsson is our technician, managing the microbiology labs, focusing on organization, establishing routines and maintaining the equipment and providing laboratory support to our group’s members. Johanna is also responsible for archiving and studying strains isolated from the gut microbiome within our group. Johanna focuses on growing bacteria from the gut microbiota and archive these isolated bacteria in a strain library.

“I hope to be able to study these bacteria more deeply in the future. This is to identify key bacterial species and their functions that may contribute to metabolic health.”

We asked Johanna how she ended up in this field:

“ I became interested in research of the microbiome during my master studies and I also did my master thesis in a similar field. I then worked in clinical microbiology for some time but decided that I prefer working in research with a specific focus on microbiology and microbiome. It is challenging and fun.”

What are your plans for the future?

“I want to develop my skills, be part of an interactive and creative environment and aim to increase my knowledge as well as the general knowledge about the bacteria that lives in our gut and their role in health or disease.”

Outside of work, Johanna loves to explore the outdoors and go camping/hiking or climbing and sharing those experiences with her two kids and husband. Out of curiosity we wanted to know;  What do you do to promote a healthy gut microbiome and/or health in general? And, if you could explain one fascinating fact about your research to a child, what would it be?

"I try to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, exercise and spend time outside in nature. I try to inspire my kids to do so as well. I don’t know if it’s fascinating but my 5-year old son think it’s hilarious that I work with poop, and he thinks it’s quite fascinating that inside our gut there’s billions of tiny living things called bacteria/microbes."

What's one lab tool or technique you couldn’t live without?

“For me the anaerobic chamber is the most essential “tool” that I use.”

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in research?

“Stay curious and ask many questions. Don’t stress and compare yourself to others, everyone’s journey is unique.”