DrErin Shanahan

Erin is a microbiologist and University of Sydney a'Beckett Research Fellow. She leads the Microbiome and Gut Health Group at the Charles Perkins Centre. Her research focuses on the role of the gut microbial community in gut health, colorectal cancer development, and cancer treatment.

Erin undertook a PhD in infectious diseases at the Centenary Institute, Sydney focused on bacterial pathogenesis and vaccine development. Her focus then shifted to gut microbes, undertaking postdoctoral research at The University of Queensland and Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane. In this role, she developed novel methods to assess the microbiome, and isolate gut bacteria, from low-microbial load tissues of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Through this work she identified microbial signatures linked to immune activation in functional gastrointestinal disorders in the small intestine.

In her current role, Erin is leading a research program that investigates interactions between gut microbial communities and dietary intake, and how this influences the intestinal epithelium and local and systemic immunity. In particular, this research is focused on understanding how individual variation in responses of the microbiota and host to differing nutritional intakes influences colorectal cancer development. Further, she is investigating the role of the microbiota and diet in shaping cancer immunotherapy outcomes.