Phillip Engen

Phillip Engen is a High Senior Professor at Rush University. His research investigates the gut microbiome's role in health and disease, focusing on dysbiosis, intestinal barrier integrity, and the gut-brain axis. His recent work explores the oral microbiome's link to cognitive performance in older adults, the impact of the MIND diet on the microbiome, and prebiotics as adjunct therapy for PTSD. He also studies how circadian misalignment, alcohol, and HIV compromise intestinal resilience, alongside developing novel methods like passive e-nose technology for monitoring fiber consumption. His research integrates immunology, neuroscience, and digestive disease to advance microbiome-based interventions.