On March 4, 2026, Lu Zhang successfully defended her doctoral thesis “Systematic analysis of gut microbiome and mycobiome in host nutrition and disease” via Zoom.

During her PhD, Lu investigated the complex interactions between the gut microbiome and the mycobiome and their roles in host nutrition and disease. By applying systematic and integrative approaches, her work provides valuable insights into how bacterial and fungal communities in the gut influence metabolic processes and health outcomes.

Lu presented her research confidently and handled the questions from the thesis committee in a very composed and convincing manner, resulting in a highly successful defense.

Her thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of host–microbiome interactions and highlights the importance of considering both bacterial and fungal communities when studying gut ecosystem functions.

We warmly congratulate Dr. Zhang on this achievement and wish her all the best for the next steps in her scientific career!