A short summary of Jack's research

I am studying the effect our intestinal microbes on our health from a mathematical ecology perspective. During my PhD in the Netherlands I worked mostly in the lab, growing, cultivating and measuring the metabolic products of live bacteria and investigating how each bacterium affects the other bacteria as well as ourselves. During this research we found that specific probiotic bacteria affected bacteria from our gut in a specific way, by altering their growth or by altering the production of metabolites. To better understand the mechanisms behind these alterations there I am now trying to understand the ecological interactions among the bacteria and I am trying to derive mathematical equations from the observed patterns. In this way, we hope to be able to predict the effect of bacterial addition to the human gut to improve the health of people with gut issues.

Research for Impact is one of the core strategic themes in SU`s Vision 2040. Can you describe the (potential) impact of your research?

By investigating the ecological interactions among the bacteria in our gut and deriving a set of mathematical equations we will be able to predict the effect of microbiota targeted treatments. Thereby improving the health of people with disorders originating in the gut in a personalized manner.

In the ever-changing environment of academia, what are some of the obstacles postdoctoral researchers are faced with?

In my opinion postdocs have an enormous workload while at the same time have uncertainty regarding income and job security. The reason for this is that postdoc contracts are usually 1 or 2 years, thus the need to find new funds or a new position is always there without the safety net faculty members with a permanent position have.

What would you regard as the most important aspects to consider to effectively support postdoctoral researchers?

The help of the university and faculty members with securing enough funds and reducing the perceived workload and bringing together the postdoc community.

What excites you about your work? 

The creativity of working at the boundary of human knowledge and the exiting new research always being available.

When you're not in the lab, library or in the field conducting research, what do you do to unwind?

Trailrun, hike, being outside.

What advice, if any, would you look to impart to future postdoctoral researchers?

Don't work to much, make sure you enjoy life in Stellenbosch.

Connect with Jack and his work: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-jansma-106778154/
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=3p3tzOgAAAAJ&hl=nl