
Meet the Team
Welcome to Brain BioMet! We're excited to introduce you to our dedicated team members who are passionate about advancing brain health and well-being. Explore our expertise and learn how each of us to our mission of innovation and excellence. Thank you for joining us on this journey!

Volunteer
Mehedi Tosun
Mehedi is currently completing an MSc in Health Psychology, with a thesis focused on women’s perimenopausal health and dietary patterns. Her interest in this area began during her undergraduate studies, when she initiated a research project for BrainBioMet titled “Food, Feelings & New Beginnings: How Diet May Influence Stress After Birth.” The study, which examines the relationship between dietary patterns and stress in postpartum mothers, is now in its final stages of recruitment. This work sparked her lasting interest in the intersection of nutrition, mental health, and women’s well-being. Mehedi is particularly passionate about maternal health—spanning from pre-pregnancy through the postpartum period—and is committed to contributing research that supports better health outcomes for women through preventative and lifestyle-based approaches. She is currently working to expand and publish the findings from her original study.
Volunteer
Adam O'Connor
Adam is currently undertaking a BSc in Psychology at Northumbria University and will be entering his second year in September 2025. His fascination with the connection between diet, lifestyle, and mental well-being began when he successfully managed his own autoimmune condition through dietary changes. This personal experience sparked a strong interest in contributing to the psychological literature and promoting mental health through lifestyle-based approaches. Adam is currently supporting several BrainBioMet research projects, including “Keto & Connection: Can Your Diet Influence How You Socialise?” and “Keto & Cognition: Can Your Diet Shape Memory and Personality?” Both studies explore the impact of ketogenic diets on psychological and cognitive outcomes. Through this work, Adam hopes to deepen his understanding of the brain–body connection and make a meaningful contribution to the field of psychology.

Volunteer
Elise Taylor
Elise holds a BSc in Psychology from Northumbria University and is currently pursuing an MSc in Forensic Psychology at Newcastle University. While her primary interest lies in forensic psychology, she is currently contributing to a fascinating research project investigating mouse behaviour and the effects of ketogenic diets.
What draws Elise to nutrition research is its strong relevance to psychological wellbeing. She is particularly interested in how diet impacts mental health and how nutritional interventions can support psychological outcomes across a range of settings. She finds it exciting to be involved in research that bridges neuroscience, behaviour, and real-world health improvements.

Volunteer
Michal Wieczorek
Michal is a Master's student in Health Psychology at Northumbria University, having completed six years of study there, including a Foundation Year and an Undergraduate Degree in Psychology. He is passionate about personal development and believes that everyone has the potential to reach their full capabilities. His academic interests focus on accessible, low-cost methods to enhance cognitive performance, psychological well-being, and overall health—particularly through lifestyle interventions. Michal is currently leading the BrainBioMet study “Keto & Cognition: Can Your Diet Shape Memory and Personality?”, which explores the impact of dietary choices on memory and personality. He is especially interested in how a clean and open mind forms the basis for motivation and life choices, with diet being one of them.

Volunteer
Charlotte Powles
Charlotte holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Northumbria University and is currently completing her postgraduate degree in Foundations in Clinical Psychology at Newcastle University. While her academic path has a strong clinical focus, she maintains a broad interest in all areas of psychology. Charlotte is especially drawn to nutrition research, which has deepened her appreciation for the connection between the brain and the gut. Living with ulcerative colitis has given her personal insight into the importance of diet in managing health. This experience fuels her enthusiasm for exploring nutrition as a vital aspect of psychological and physical well-being.

Volunteer
Olly Wilkinson
Olly is a final-year Psychology student at Northumbria University with a strong interest in the clinical side of psychology. This passion was sparked during a placement within the NHS and through his involvement in two research papers focused on pain psychology. He is currently leading two BrainBioMet research projects: “Mind Over Sugar: How Diabetes Might Influence Your Personality” and “Love, Personality & Memory: What Connects Them?” Olly is particularly fascinated by the relationship between diet and mental health, as well as topics related to sleep and Alzheimer’s. He is considering both a Clinical Psychology Doctorate and an academic PhD.

Volunteer
Jacob Burgess
Jacob holds a BSc in Clinical Psychology from Northumbria University and is currently completing an MSc in Clinical Psychology at Newcastle University. He has previously worked as a research assistant at the University of Toronto, where he contributed to a study examining social gaze cueing. His current research explores the psychological effects of physical and lifestyle factors, with a particular focus on the ketogenic diet. He is leading a study titled “Keto & Connection: Can Your Diet Influence How You Socialise?” which investigates the relationship between ketogenic diets and sociability. Jacob is also involved in a project examining how such diets influence mouse behaviour. His research interests lie at the intersection of biology and psychology, particularly in how factors like diet and exercise impact mental functioning. Beyond lifestyle-based interventions, he is also deeply interested in psychological research related to cancer, dementia, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Volunteer
Sophie Rosby
Sophie is currently in her final year of a BSc in Psychology with Criminology at Northumbria University. She is actively supporting several BrainBioMet research projects, including “Keto & Connection: Can Your Diet Influence How You Socialise?” and “Keto & Cognition: Can Your Diet Shape Memory and Personality?”
Sophie has a strong interest in bridging different domains within psychological research. Her interdisciplinary curiosity is what initially drew her to the field of nutritional psychology, where she is particularly interested in exploring the connections between social, cognitive, and dietary factors. Through her involvement in these projects, Sophie aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of how lifestyle interventions can shape psychological outcomes.

Volunteer
Lukas Humble
Lukas is a final-year undergraduate student at Northumbria University with a strong interest in modern dating strategies, personality, and the influence of technology on human behaviour. He plans to pursue his dissertation in this field.
Alongside this, Lukas is passionate about nutrition and preventive health, particularly the role diet plays in reducing chronic illnesses such as obesity and cardiovascular disease. Having lived a fitness-oriented lifestyle, he is especially interested in how nutrition supports both physical and psychological well-being.
He is currently leading two BrainBioMet research projects: Mind Over Sugar: How Diabetes Might Influence Your Personality and Love, Personality & Memory: What Connects Them? His broader research interests centre on the relationship between biological health, cognition, personality, and behaviour.
Dr Ann-Katrin Kräuter
Neuroscientist | Mental Health Researcher | Director of BrainBioMet | Advocate for Nutrition-Based Interventions

Hi, I’m Ann-Katrin – a neuroscientist with a passion for exploring how what we eat, how we feel, and how our brains work are deeply connected. My research sits at the crossroads of nutrition, neuroscience, and mental health. I’m especially interested in how dietary approaches like the ketogenic diet might help us better understand – and even manage – serious mental health conditions like psychosis and schizophrenia. I earned my PhD in Medical and Molecular Sciences (awarded with a Medal of Excellence) at James Cook University in Australia, where I investigated the effects of the ketogenic diet in mouse models of psychosis. Since then, my research has grown to include everything from gut microbiota and immune function to stress, stroke biomarkers, and survey-based studies in the general population. Now based at Northumbria University, I work as a Senior Lecturer in Psychology, where I teach, supervise, and continue leading innovative research. Whether it’s through research, teaching, or collaboration, I’m deeply committed to bridging neuroscience and nutrition to help improve mental health outcomes. Outside the lab, you’ll find me seeking out new ideas, great conversations, and probably a strong coffee.