About

Imagine a handful of scientists, fueled by curiosity and a shared passion, gathering in a small room at Duke University in late 2014. They were drawn together by a nascent field of gut brain biology. This group was led by Diego Bohórquez, and had no idea that their conversations would ignite a movement. From that humble beginning, GASTRONAUTS was born – a community of researchers passionate about gut-brain matters.

We believe that the very act of eating is the foundation of knowledge. Our community reflects this belief, bringing together a diverse tapestry of minds. Engineers, biologists, neuroscientists, psychiatrists, therapists, patients, and science communicators – all are welcome. We are driven by a shared desire to understand how food influences mood, how the gut can be harnessed to improve human health, and how this knowledge can shape a better world.

This spirit of adventure and collaboration led to a pivotal moment in November 2022: the official formation of Gastronauts Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. This milestone empowered us to amplify our impact, to foster deeper connections, and to accelerate the pace of discovery.

“Where the gut meets the brain” is more than just a mantra; it’s the heartbeat of our community. It fuels our lively monthly hybrid seminar series at Duke, where every first Tuesday at 10am ET, from September to May, we gather to celebrate discovery. But our connection extends beyond the science itself. Following each seminar, our podcast delves into the minds behind the research, exploring their personal journeys, philosophies of science, and views on mentorship. This intimate glimpse into the lives of our speakers strengthens our community and deepens our understanding. Our vision, however, extends beyond the walls of academia. We are explorers, and our journey has taken us to extraordinary places.

Our biannual symposia are not just conferences; they are expeditions into the unknown. We began with a spark at Duke in 2016, followed by a global leap to Singapore in 2018. In 2021, the world was our stage as we connected six cities through a groundbreaking virtual event. But it was in 2023, amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Galapagos Islands, that our mission truly crystallized. Inspired by Darwin’s legacy, we gathered on San Cristobal Island, not just to present research, but to envision a future where food is precision medicine, where the gut is a key to unlocking human potential. This transformative experience underscored the power of collaboration and the importance of pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration. Now, in 2025, we embark on our next extraordinary journey, gathering beneath the shimmering glass dome of Biosphere 2, where the future of food begins.