This writing exercise prompt is a hard one and I have a hard time choosing what research projects I would award funding to. Out of my own curiosity and connection to mental health, I would love to see more research on the links between the gut microbiome and mental health and disorders. I think it would be fascinating to discover possible short-term and long-term treatments that help address mental health and what that would actually look like. I also would be more interested in funding research focusing on the microbiome and obesity. Because the United States has a high prevalence of obesity, I think research in this area would be very valuable in the prevention and could possibly impact and help many, many people. Obesity is a public health concern and is also linked to various diseases impacted by the gut microbiome. Both projects could really have an impact on healthcare in treating those with these specific diseases.
