![Miguel Toribio-Mateas BSc MSc DProf MRSB](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/5320?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Overview
I am a clinical neuroscientist and applied microbiologist with a longstanding background in human nutrition. My experience, extending over two decades, encompasses a variety of roles in healthcare, science, and technology, both in clinical and non-clinical settings. My career is primarily focused on exploring the intricate relationships between the gut and the brain, an area often known as the microbiota-gut-brain axis. My research and my practice have consistently focused on understanding how food and lifestyle interventions impact mood, cognition, and behaviour through the microbiota-gut-brain axis.
This breadth of experience has greatly enriched my role in leading and contributing to transdisciplinary research groups. My involvement has been key in guiding pilot, feasibility studies and small-scale clinical trials that test hypotheses, setting the stage for subsequent larger clinical, randomized, placebo-controlled studies.
A distinctive feature of my work is the use of self-reported outcome measures with psychometric validity combined with microbial biomarkers, a theme that I developed during my professional doctorate on the gut microbiome and mental health for which I received the Santander Universities 'Work-Based Learning Award' at Middlesex University in 2016. This was paralleled by a five-year research innovation fellowship funded by the European Regional Development Fund at London South Bank University's School of Applied Sciences, through which I explored how gut health impacts brain health and mental wellbeing.
As a queer neurodivergent person, I am deeply committed to inclusivity and ethical research practices, aiming to change the power dynamics within the research process by conducting research "with people" rather than "on people." Gaining deep insights from participants is a paramount aspect of my work. Empowering them to share their lived experience and giving them a voice is the reason why I integrate qualitative research methods into my work. I also have a personal and deep understanding of the specific dietary needs of neurodivergent individuals, emphasising the critical role of dietary choices in enhancing executive functioning, sensory processing, and emotional regulation. My philosophy is that by understanding and addressing the nuanced relationships between diet and brain function, we empower ourselves to make choices that nourish our bodies and support our neurodivergent minds in navigating daily tasks and interactions more smoothly.
Publication
2023
- Toribio-Mateas, M. and Smith, A. 2023. A synbiotic intervention to improve well-being at work.. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research 12(21), pp. 36-54. (10.20959/wjpr202321-30385)
- Lawrence, K. et al. 2023. Randomised controlled trial of the effects of kefir on behaviour, sleep and the microbiome in children with ADHD: a study protocol. BMJ Open 13, article number: e071063. (10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071063)
- Lachmansingh, D. A., Toribio-Mateas, M. A., O'Riordan, K., Lavelle, A., Cryan, J. F. and Clarke, G. 2023. Mood, food, and the microbiome. Neurodigest
2022
- Shevlyakov A, A., Nikogosov, D., Stewart, L. and Toribio-Mateas, M. 2022. Reference values for intake of six types of soluble and insoluble fibre in healthy UK inhabitants based on the UK Biobank data. Public Health Nutrition 25(5), pp. 1321-1335. (10.1017/S1368980021002524)
- Lawrence, K., Myrissa, K., Toribio-Mateas, M., Minini, L. and Gregory, A. M. 2022. Trialling a microbiome-targeted dietary intervention in children with ADHD—the rationale and a non-randomised feasibility study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 8, article number: 108. (10.1186/s40814-022-01058-4)
2021
- Toribio-Mateas, M. A., Bester, A. and Klimenko, N. 2021. Impact of plant-based meat alternatives on the gut microbiota of consumers: a real-world study. Foods 10(9), article number: 2040. (10.3390/foods10092040)
2020
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2020. Becoming a professional opinion leader. In: Loo, S. and Sutton, B. eds. Informal Learning, Practitioner Inquiry and Occupational Education: An Epistemological Perspective. Routledge, pp. 113-124., (10.4324/9781003019473)
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2020. Cognitive health through gut–brain communication. In: Walker, A. ed. Case Studies in Personalized Nutrition. Personalized Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine for Healthcare Practitioners Singing Dragon
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2020. The evidence base in personalized nutrition. In: Walker, A. ed. Case Studies in Personalized Nutrition,. Personalized Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine for Healthcare Practitioners Singing Dragon
- Toribio-Mateas, M. and Bester, A. 2020. Diet and the microbiome in precision medicine. In: Faintuch, J. and Faintuch, S. eds. Precision Medicine for Investigators, Practitioners and Providers. Elsevier, pp. 445-452., (10.1016/B978-0-12-819178-1.00043-5)
2018
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2018. Harnessing the power of microbiome assessment tools as part of neuroprotective nutrition and lifestyle medicine Interventions. Microorganisms 6(2), article number: 35. (10.3390/microorganisms6020035)
- Bester, A., Toribio-Mateas, M., Mileva, K. and Gaoua, N. 2018. Integrated multi-omics of the gut microbiome: assessing the beneficial effects of fermented foods to human health.. Presented at: 7th Wellcome Trust conference on Exploring Human Host-Microbiome Interactions in Health and Disease, Hinxton, UK, 5-7 December 2018.
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2018. Neuroprotection, aging, and the gut–brain axis: Translating traditional wisdom from the Mediterranean diet into evidence-based clinical applications. In: Bakhru, A. ed. Nutrition and Integrative Medicine: A Primer for Clinicians. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 177-196., (10.1201/9781315153155-6)
2017
- Toribio-Mateas, M. A. and Spector, T. D. 2017. Could food act as personalized medicine for chronic disease?. Personalized Medicine 14(3), pp. 193-196. (10.2217/PME-2016-0017)
2016
- Ruxton, C., Derbyshire, E. and Toribio-Mateas, M. 2016. Role of fatty acids and micronutrients in healthy ageing: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials set in the context of European dietary surveys of older adults. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 29(3), pp. 308-324. (10.1111/JHN.12335)
Articles
- Toribio-Mateas, M. and Smith, A. 2023. A synbiotic intervention to improve well-being at work.. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Research 12(21), pp. 36-54. (10.20959/wjpr202321-30385)
- Lawrence, K. et al. 2023. Randomised controlled trial of the effects of kefir on behaviour, sleep and the microbiome in children with ADHD: a study protocol. BMJ Open 13, article number: e071063. (10.1136/bmjopen-2022-071063)
- Lachmansingh, D. A., Toribio-Mateas, M. A., O'Riordan, K., Lavelle, A., Cryan, J. F. and Clarke, G. 2023. Mood, food, and the microbiome. Neurodigest
- Shevlyakov A, A., Nikogosov, D., Stewart, L. and Toribio-Mateas, M. 2022. Reference values for intake of six types of soluble and insoluble fibre in healthy UK inhabitants based on the UK Biobank data. Public Health Nutrition 25(5), pp. 1321-1335. (10.1017/S1368980021002524)
- Lawrence, K., Myrissa, K., Toribio-Mateas, M., Minini, L. and Gregory, A. M. 2022. Trialling a microbiome-targeted dietary intervention in children with ADHD—the rationale and a non-randomised feasibility study. Pilot and Feasibility Studies 8, article number: 108. (10.1186/s40814-022-01058-4)
- Toribio-Mateas, M. A., Bester, A. and Klimenko, N. 2021. Impact of plant-based meat alternatives on the gut microbiota of consumers: a real-world study. Foods 10(9), article number: 2040. (10.3390/foods10092040)
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2018. Harnessing the power of microbiome assessment tools as part of neuroprotective nutrition and lifestyle medicine Interventions. Microorganisms 6(2), article number: 35. (10.3390/microorganisms6020035)
- Toribio-Mateas, M. A. and Spector, T. D. 2017. Could food act as personalized medicine for chronic disease?. Personalized Medicine 14(3), pp. 193-196. (10.2217/PME-2016-0017)
- Ruxton, C., Derbyshire, E. and Toribio-Mateas, M. 2016. Role of fatty acids and micronutrients in healthy ageing: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials set in the context of European dietary surveys of older adults. Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics 29(3), pp. 308-324. (10.1111/JHN.12335)
Book sections
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2020. Becoming a professional opinion leader. In: Loo, S. and Sutton, B. eds. Informal Learning, Practitioner Inquiry and Occupational Education: An Epistemological Perspective. Routledge, pp. 113-124., (10.4324/9781003019473)
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2020. Cognitive health through gut–brain communication. In: Walker, A. ed. Case Studies in Personalized Nutrition. Personalized Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine for Healthcare Practitioners Singing Dragon
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2020. The evidence base in personalized nutrition. In: Walker, A. ed. Case Studies in Personalized Nutrition,. Personalized Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine for Healthcare Practitioners Singing Dragon
- Toribio-Mateas, M. and Bester, A. 2020. Diet and the microbiome in precision medicine. In: Faintuch, J. and Faintuch, S. eds. Precision Medicine for Investigators, Practitioners and Providers. Elsevier, pp. 445-452., (10.1016/B978-0-12-819178-1.00043-5)
- Toribio-Mateas, M. 2018. Neuroprotection, aging, and the gut–brain axis: Translating traditional wisdom from the Mediterranean diet into evidence-based clinical applications. In: Bakhru, A. ed. Nutrition and Integrative Medicine: A Primer for Clinicians. Boca Raton: CRC Press, pp. 177-196., (10.1201/9781315153155-6)
Conferences
- Bester, A., Toribio-Mateas, M., Mileva, K. and Gaoua, N. 2018. Integrated multi-omics of the gut microbiome: assessing the beneficial effects of fermented foods to human health.. Presented at: 7th Wellcome Trust conference on Exploring Human Host-Microbiome Interactions in Health and Disease, Hinxton, UK, 5-7 December 2018.
Research
My research interests include:
- Food-gut-microbiota-mood interactions in positive versus pathological mental health states.
- The interface between the gut-brain axis and psychological well-being in the workplace.
- Microbial signatures in neurodevelopmental conditions such as Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism.
- Changes to the microbiome in neurodegenerative conditions, e.g. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease.
- Person-centred neurosciences focusing on first-person experiences of people living with neurological conditions. To this extent, I am the guest editor of the special issue "Person-Centred Care in the Neurosciences" for the journal "Health Expectations" (Wiley), closing December 2023.
Biography
Postgraduate education
Middlesex University, 2016, 2021
DProf Gut Microbiome & Mental Health. Thesis: “Guts, Brains, Complexity and Creativity: Immersive Living and Learning Through the Critical Lens of First-Person Inquiry”
University of Roehampton, 2014 - 2016
MSc Clinical Neuroscience. Thesis: “Investigating the Effects of Coenzyme Q10 Plus NADH,Ascorbic Acid and L-Serine on Cellular Metabolism and Mitochondrial Unfolded Protein Response Transcription Factor Activation in Murine Neural Stem Cells”
University of West London, 2009 - 2010
BSc (Honours) Nutritional Medicine
The Open University, 2001 - 2003
PgDip Environmental Decision Making (Sustainability)
London South Bank University, 1998 - 2000
MSc International Business
Undergraduate education
Universidad Complutense and Universidad Carlos III, Madrid (Spain), 1991 - 1995.
Philosophy, Business and Languages
University of West London, 2004 - 2009
BSc Nutritional Medicine
Journal Editorial Boards
- Associate Editor, Health Expectations
- Editorial Board, Microorganisms
- Editorial Board, Brain Sciences
Employment
Current Position: Honorary Research Fellow, School of Psychology.
2009 - Present: Independent research and development consultant.
2018 - 2023: Innovation Consultant at the London Agri-Food Innovation Clinic (LAFIC), a research unit at London South Bank University's School of Applied Sciences. European Regional Development Fund funded research on the effect of fermented foods on cognitive health and mental wellbeing.
2017 - 2022: Nutritional Neuroscience Lead, Executive Resilience and Senior Leaders Resilience Programmes, The Insight Network. Working with Lloyd’s Bank and NatWest Bank on psychological well-being at work.
2019 - 2021: Director of Research and Innovation at Atlas Biomed, creating a successful interface between the application of microbiome research to human health and product development, spearheading the company’s commercial and educational R&D activities in the UK and Europe.
2016 - 2020: Editor-In-Chief, Nutrition Evidence Database, a platform of high quality nutritional science and lifestyle medicine research, designed to support clinical decisions that translate into effective, individualised evidence-based interventions.
2015 - 2021: Clinical Neuroscientist at Claimont Health, providing specialist evidence-based nutrition support for mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, PTSD, burnout) and drug-alcohol addiction, working as part of a multidisciplinary psychiatrist-led clinical team to provide excellent person-centred care in the client's home.
2015 - 2017: Head of Clinical Education and co-founder of MapMyGut, the prequel to the Zoe app and a spinoff of the British Gut Project with Professor Tim Spector at King's College London.
2012 - 2016: Senior Clinical Practice Supervisor and Guest Lecturer, Nutritional Medicine BSc (Hons), University of West London
2010 - 2016: Senior Consultant: Research Intelligence, Springer Nature.
2003 - 2010: Senior International Manager, Research & Education, Wolters Kluwer Health Medical Research
2001 - 2003: Research Intelligence Product Manager, Global Product Council, Lexis Nexis
For further details of my professional background, please visit my LinkedIn page.
Honours and awards
- Santander Universities "Work-Based Learning Award”, Middlesex University 2016
Professional memberships
- Royal Society of Biology
- British Neuroscience Association
- Applied Microbiology International
- Microbiology Society
Committees and reviewing
- Member of the steering group of the Person-Centred Neurosciences Society/Primary Care and Community Neurology Society (P-CNS)
- Reviewer for the BMJ (Open), Elsevier Science, and several MDPI journals
Volunteering
- Scientific advisor to the Body & Soul Charity, and collaborator on their You Are Not Alone (YANA) youth mental health programme, which specifically addresses the pressing issue of suicide attempts among 16-30-year-olds through dialectical behavioural therapy.
Honours and awards
I received the Santander Universities "Work-Based Learning Award" at Middlesex Universities for my doctoral research (2016-2021), which focused on the microbiota-gut-brain axis and its interface with mood, cognition, and mental / brain health. I have continued to study the associations between microbiome-based markers such as microbial diversity, microbiota composition, microbial metabolites (short chain fatty acids, markers of mucosal barrier integrity, etc.) and domains of cognition such as memory and focus, as well as the quality of life/severity of symptoms in neurodevelopmental disorders, with a particular focus on Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Contact Details
Research themes
Specialisms
- Gut microbiome science
- Mental Health
- Neurodevelopment
- The gut-brain axis
- Nutritional neuroscience