Passion for Food Safety and Sustainability: GDIC Welcomes Dr. Alessandra Marcon Gasperini

I am Dr. Alessandra Marcon Gasperini an Italo-Brazilian academic with a career built at the intersection of food sciences, microbiology and analytical chemistry. My academic foundation includes an MSc in Food Sciences (2014) from the 2nd best university in Brazil, UNICAMP, and a PhD in Agri-food & Environment from Cranfield University, UK (2019).

In research, I have led projects across Brazil, Malta, Cyprus, and the UK, focusing on prediction and sustainable mitigation of microbial contamination to enhance food quality and safety. In January 2024, I was appointed Senior Lecturer in Microbiology at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, where I taught biomedical sciences and medical microbiology subjects. In February 2025, I joined University College Dublin (UCD) as an Assistant Professor in Food Sciences and Human Nutrition.

I am passionate about enhancing food safety, specially under climate change, to ensure mycotoxin-free food. My research vision explores the link between mycotoxins (toxic fungal metabolites), human exposure and gut health. While most of my work has focused on understanding mycotoxin production (why filamentous fungi produce these toxic metabolites) and developing mitigation strategies, I am also interested in the long-term health impacts of dietary exposure, an area that is fascinating but underexplored.

My research Interests are:

1.      Food security under climate change challenges

2.      Fungal ecology and predictive modeling for spoilage and mycotoxins contamination

3.      Human exposure to mycotoxins, including maternal transmission to infants

4.      Mycotoxin-induced gut dysbiosis and its health implications

At GDIC, I will teach modules on Human Nutrition, Sustainability in the Diet, and Food Security. I am excited to visit China, engage with students, and seek opportunities for collaboration. This role represents a unique opportunity to contribute and also bring the global perspective to my teaching and research.