Dr. Heather Armstrong is an accomplished researcher working at the intersection of gut health and chronic diseases. Her research specifically focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms of diet-associated inflammation in inflammatory diseases, such as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), which are mediated by gut microbes. Dr. Armstrong's work has helped to identify the unique ways that gut dysbiosis in IBD leads to increased inflammation in select patients. Through her research, she aims to unravel the complex interactions between gut microbes, diet, and inflammation to better understand the pathology of these diseases and how they are linked to cancer. Her team utilizes cutting-edge translational models of microbiome and human biopsy tissues to investigate these interactions and to explore new strategies for personalized medicine. Dr. Armstrong's research is not only advancing our understanding of these debilitating diseases but also has the potential to improve the lives of millions of people affected by them.