UNH Dao Research Lab

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UNH Dao Research Lab

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The Dao Research Lab at UNH is directed by Dr. Maria Carlota Dao.

09/29/2026

Next up we have Erica! Erica played a large role in our wet lab and assisting in projects during her time as an undergraduate research assistant with the Dao Lab.

“After I graduated UNH in May 2025, I began working at Lonza in Cell Therapy, manufacturing. I really enjoy working with my team and helping patients with sickle cell disease. It is amazing to be a part of such a groundbreaking process. I’m working my way up in my department, and I hope to become a Supervisor one day! I do miss working in the Dao lab, but I am so grateful to have had that opportunity. I learned so much about real-world science, teamwork, and problem-solving that helped set me up for success in my current job.”- Erica

09/21/2026

Megan was an integral part from the start of the Dao Research Lab as our first research coordinator. She also made fantastic illustrations- some of which are still used in our lab today! Recently, Megan wrote and illustrated a coloring book, “Microbes & Me,” to introduce kids to the gut microbiome. It won the 2026 Cross-Lerner Competition at Columbia University. Check out her coloring book at: https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/research/centers/lerner-center-public-health-promotion/education/mph-students/health-messaging-student-competition

“I was a research coordinator in the Dao Research Lab until 2022, when I moved on to pursue my PhD in Clinical Psychology at Syracuse University. I’ve just begun my fifth year and am now completing my dissertation research while also preparing internship applications (the final step of my predoctoral training!).

My time in the Dao Research Lab shaped my multidisciplinary, community-focused approach to research, as well as my integrative approach to clinical work. Dr. Dao’s excellent mentorship helped me grow as a researcher and scholar, and taught me how to mentor undergraduate students through their own research projects.” -Megan

09/17/2026

Next up we have Ben Boulton!

“After graduating in 2023 with my biomedical science degree I took off to hike on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) for the entire summer. It was an amazing experience where I got to meet so many different people and it helped me solidify my decision to pursue physical therapy (something I had been questioning in undergrad). Upon returning from the PCT, I stayed in NH and worked several odd jobs while also getting my certificate as a personal trainer, accumulating shadow and volunteer hours, and applying to physical therapy school. I then worked as a personal trainer at a gym in New London, NH until I started my Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at the University of Colorado - Anschutz Medical Campus. Currently my life looks exactly as you might expect - working full time as a student and trying to get out to explore Colorado as much as I can on the weekends! Three major things from Dr. Dao’s lab have stuck with me since I graduated.
1. The gut microbiome is incredibly intricate, interconnected with many different systems within our bodies and responsive to how we treat it.
2. Psychosocial determinants of health make up a large portion of our eating habits and therefore our overall well-being.
3. Fiber is king!
As I have been studying physical therapy and learning more about different health conditions, these points have come up time and time again.” -Ben

09/16/2026

We will be featuring our Dao Research Lab alumni! Starting off we have Maryann McCahill - Maryann was a part of the Dao Lab as an undergraduate research assistant.

“After graduation I started working at a company called Vedanta, a start-up in Cambridge using live bacteria to make therapies to treat illness such as C. diff (essentially a lab-made FMT!) I worked there for nearly three years but unfortunately earlier this year due to funding, I was impacted by a large reduction in force that cut my whole department. Though I was sad to part with Vedanta and gut microbiome specific therapies, I have been able to continue my career in biotech/clinical trial MSAT. Most recently, I’ve worked on engineered T-cells used to treat different types of cancers! As I move forward in my career, I hope to find my way back to gut microbiome research/therapies.

I actually was able to get my foot in the door in the industry because of my time with the Dao lab! When I graduated from UNH, Dr. Dao gifted me a book called “I Contain Multitudes” by Ed Yong. One chapter spoke a lot about C. diff and using what is known about the gut microbiome as potential treatment. As I read this chapter, I noticed that one of the companies working on this research was based in Boston and decided to look them up. It turned out they were hiring and I mentioned the book and my time with the Dao lab in my cover letter/interview which I later found out largely helped me secure the role.”-Maryann

09/08/2026

The Dao Lab is recruiting participants for Gather for Healthy Living! Build your cooking skills and learn about healthy eating, meal planning, and more through this free, 8-session program at the Gather Pantry Market.
Enjoy free meals at every cooking session, plus $75 for eligible participants who complete the course and three mini health assessments.

You may qualify for this study if you’re over age 18, live in New Hampshire, and shop at Gather.

Interested? Contact the Dao Research Lab at (603) 862-4723 or [email protected] to learn more!

Nutritional Sciences Graduate Assistantships available in spring 2027! Interested students should contact Carlota.Dao@un...

09/03/2026

Nutritional Sciences Graduate Assistantships available in spring 2027!

Interested students should contact [email protected] and/or [email protected] for additional information about the positions and application process.

08/13/2026

Zane presented his project on comparing oral microbiome sampling methods to support periodontal disease research at the annual CIBBR conference yesterday! 🎉

07/31/2026

The Dao Research Lab had a fantastic time at the American Society for Nutrition's Annual Conference in National Harbor, Maryland!

07/30/2026

The Dao Lab is recruiting!

04/20/2026

Lab member, Rawan, gave a fantastic oral presentation on the perceived food environment, food insecurity, and the gut microbiome in NH Hispanic/Latino adults during the UNH Graduate Research Conference!

Address

University Of New Hampshire, 129 Main Street
Durham, NH
03824

Telephone

+16038624260

Website

https://sites.usnh.edu/dao-lab

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