What drives our IMPACT Fellows? What groundbreaking research are they pursuing, and what personal motivations fuel their journeys? Through this bi-weekly interview series, we look into the minds of our fellows to uncover not just the science but the stories behind their work. Explore their experiences in the IMPACT programme and the unique perspectives they bring to their fields. This week, we had the chance to interview Parkash Rawat.
Can you briefly describe your research project and its potential impact on society or the economy?
Sure! My project looks at Multiple Sclerosis, or MS—a serious brain and nerve disorder—from a new angle: the gut. We’re studying how certain gut bacteria, especially those involved in processing sulfur from our diet, might be linked to MS.
The idea is that by better understanding this connection, we could find specific bacteria that might be used in the future to help diagnose or treat MS. Our research might also lead to new diet recommendations for people who have MS or who are at higher risk of developing it. You might’ve heard “The gut is the only organ that can think for itself — which makes sense, because most of our bad decisions start with a snack”.
This is especially important in Western Europe, where MS rates are quite high—likely due to a mix of genes and lifestyle, including diet. So, by looking more closely at the dietary side of things, we hope to contribute to a healthier future for people in this region.
From an economic point of view, MS is costly. It affects people for life, leading to medical expenses, loss of work, and a big impact on families. If our project can help with earlier diagnosis, better treatment, or even prevention, it could make a big difference—both for individuals and for healthcare systems.
Coming from India, what unique perspective do you bring to your field of study at VUB?
Coming from India, I bring a culturally diverse and globally relevant perspective to my research. India has a rich diversity of diets, environments, and microbiomes, which gives me a broader view when studying how lifestyle and dietary habits influence diseases like Multiple Sclerosis. Although MS is less common in India than in Europe, I’ve seen firsthand how rapidly changing food habits and urban lifestyles are beginning to impact health in similar ways.
My background gives me a broader appreciation for how environmental and dietary factors can influence biology—something that is central to microbiome research. I’m used to thinking about how wildly diets and microbial ecosystems can vary. It’s a bit like trying to organize a dinner party where half the guests want curry and the other half are fermenting the tablecloth—but it helps me ask new types of questions even in a controlled lab setting
At VUB, I’m genuinely excited to bring my perspective into such a dynamic and collaborative research environment, and I can’t wait to contribute fresh ideas and make a real impact in MS and microbiota research.
What’s been the most surprising or valuable aspect of the IMPACT programme for you so far?
One of the most valuable aspects for me has been how much emphasis the IMPACT programme places on developing skills beyond just the lab work. I expected strong research training, of course, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much focus there is on leadership, project management, communication, and even understanding the societal and economic impact of science. It’s helped me think much more broadly about my career—not just as a researcher, but also as someone who can lead projects, mentor others, and connect science to real-world needs
If you could instantly become an expert in another field of study, which would you choose and why?
I would choose neuroscience. Since my project touches on how gut microbes might influence brain diseases like MS, I find myself really fascinated by how complex and delicate the brain is. Being an expert in neuroscience would help me connect the dots even more deeply between the gut, the immune system, and the brain.
It would allow me to approach my research from both sides—understanding not just how the gut might trigger changes, but also exactly how the brain responds at the cellular and molecular levels. I think having that dual expertise would open up a lot of exciting possibilities for truly innovative research. And besides, the brain is the one organ you can’t live without, so it seems worth the effort to figure out how to keep it happy!
Last but not least: What’s your favorite invention of all time?
I would say microscopy. It completely changed the way we understand life—revealing an entire invisible world that we had no idea existed. Without it, fields like microbiology, medicine, and biotechnology wouldn’t even be possible.
For me personally, it’s especially meaningful because my work with gut microbes and disease heavily relies on the power of microscopy. You see, you believe—it’s only when we could actually see these tiny organisms that we truly began to understand their massive impact on health and disease.