Kristina Campbell (M.Sc.) writes about microbiome science for digital and print media around the world. She is author of The Well-Fed Microbiome Cookbook (Rockridge Press, 2016) and co-author of an academic textbook for health professionals, Gut Microbiota: Interactive Effects on Nutrition and Health (Elsevier, 2018).

Kristina is frequently hopping timezones to consult for microbiome-related businesses and organizations throughout North America and Europe.

Kristina has an extensive background leading communication campaigns, directing medical education initiatives, and serving as Scientific Advisory Board liaison. Her homebase is Victoria, Canada where she can be found hoisting sails or exploring rocky beaches with her two kids.

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In conversation with Kristina:

Six word story of your life:
I’ll just finish this before bedtime.

What was your first brush with science?
When I was called up to the stage at my high school graduation to receive a science scholarship. I was so confused. I didn’t think I had shown particular passion for any of the three sciences — it was all about answering the textbook problems in neat handwriting and doing precise dissections. But I took that scholarship as a message, and it soon dawned on me that science is infinitely more than that: it’s a filter through which you can pass ideas. A new way to see the world.

What’s your current obsession? In other words, what gets you up in the morning?
Talking to scientists. I am so in awe of what they do and I want everyone to know what they have to say

Why do you think bacteria are important?
Bacteria have been around SO much longer than us, it’s really this question that scares me: are we really that important to bacteria?

How do you define science?
A way of knowing.

How do you define health?
Not being held back from what you want to do.

What are you currently reading / listening / watching?
Awkwardly filmed Youtube lectures from microbiome conferences I’ve missed.

Favorite microbiome-nurturing food?
Anything with miso.

Scientist, dead or alive, you’d like to eat it with?
Rob Knight, especially if he would bring his computer and demonstrate some of his latest awesome visualizations.

Favorite science fact?
I’m fascinated by the gut-brain axis and how the brain is always monitoring the digestive tract ‘feed’: 90% of the signals between the gut and brain travel upward from the gut.

Most mindgasmic thing you’ve learned since being involved with Seed?
I’ve realized that it all started with the bacteria and archaea. When they learned to share genetic material, it gave rise to all the amazing, complex life forms on Earth.

The song you get sh*t done to:
Anything by Metric.

Microbiome perturbation you’re trying to give up:
Bubble tea. I’m still waiting for a study on the effects of tapioca pearls on the gut microbiota but I have a feeling the effect is not a good one.

Fact most people don’t know about you
I can speak Mandarin Chinese.

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Key Publications:

Campbell, Kristina. “The Top Five Mysteries of the Human Gut Microbiome.” Thinking into the Future. 2018 May 1. Accessed 2018 June 4. https://leapsmag.com/the-top-five-mysteries-of-the-human-gut-microbiome/

Campbell, Kristina. “Fermented: Behind the Buzzword: Why are bacteria-bearing foods so good for us?” Alive, 2017 Oct. 25. Accessed 2018 June 4. https://www.alive.com/lifestyle/fermented-behind-buzzword/

Campbell, Kristina. “Links Between Obesity And The Gut Microbiome: What Do They Mean For Therapeutics?” Global Engage, 2016 October 24. Accessed 2018 June 4. http://www.global-engage.com/life-science/obesity-gut-microbiome-therapeutics/

Campbell, Kristina. “Implications of the new consensus definition of prebiotics.” Gut Microbiota Research and Practice, 2017 Oct 12 Accessed 2018 June 4. http://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/en/implications-new-consensus-definition-prebiotics/

Campbell, Kristina. The Well-Fed Microbiome Cookbook: Vital Microbiome Diet Recipes to Repair and Renew the Body and Brain. Berkeley, CA: Rockridge Press. 2016. Print.

Campbell, Kristina. “The future of nutrition is personalized, and gut microbiota will help us get there.” Gut Microbiota Newswatch, 2018 April 25. Accessed 2018 June 4. http://www.gutmicrobiotaforhealth.com/en/future-nutrition-personalized-gut-microbiota-will-help-us-get/