Victor Zevallos, Professor of Nutritional Sciences, with a particular focus on microbiome research

From leading research institutions in Europe and North America to Krems: Prof. Dr. Victor Zevallos brings extensive international scientific experience to the Karl Landsteiner University (KL Krems). As head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences, he investigates how nutrition, the immune system, and metabolism interact — and how these interactions contribute to the prevention and treatment of disease.

Curiosity, a strong commitment to international collaboration, and an interdisciplinary approach have shaped his scientific career. As Head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at KL Krems, he draws on extensive international experience. After completing his doctoral studies in England, he conducted several research stays at renowned institutions in Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada. These experiences not only deepened his academic expertise but also broadened his perspective and helped establish international networks that continue to inform his work today.

His academic path reflects a classic yet distinctly international trajectory: following multiple postdoctoral positions in Europe and North America, he was appointed to his first faculty position in London, followed by another in Newcastle. Since 2025, Victor Zevallos has been a professor in Krems an der Donau, where he contributes his extensive experience in research and teaching to the establishment and further development of the Department.

A Passion for Nutritional Sciences

Nutrition has been a central theme throughout his academic career. “It is a broad field that spans multiple disciplines, including clinical nutrition, immunology, global food systems and public health. I am particularly interested in understanding how nutrition influences health and disease—especially in the context of complex immunological disorders.”, explains Prof. Zevallos, emphasizing the complexity of the field of research. 

One of his primary research areas is celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that primarily affects the small intestine. “Celiac disease is characterized by a T-cell-mediated immune response to gluten, a group of dietary proteins found in cereals, which leads to damage of the intestinal mucosa. For individuals with celiac disease, the most effective treatment is a strict gluten-free diet. While the role of adaptive immunity in celiac disease is well established, the innate immune response to wheat proteins remains less clearly defined. Emerging evidence suggests that these responses may contribute to the development of other immune-mediated diseases, both within and beyond the gastrointestinal tract, underscoring the complex interplay between nutrition, the immune system, and metabolism.” , explains the researcher.

Since 2025, intensive efforts have been underway to develop new research projects within the Department of Nutritional Sciences. These include investigating the biological effects of plant proteins exposed to environmental stress; exploring interaction between nutrition and standard pharmacological treatments, particularly in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases; and examining diet as a key modulator of the intestinal microbiome in both health and disease. “There are still few clear disease-specific dietary recommendations. Our goal is to support the development of future guidelines by investigating both novel and traditional nutritional compounds, broadening dietary diversity, and generating new insights into personalized nutrition and sustainable food systems.", the expert explains.

Research with a Translational Approach

A distinctive feature of research at KL Krems is its strong translational focus, in which basic research is closely integrated with clinical application. Close collaboration across disciplines, as well as with industry partners and international research networks fosters an environment that drives innovation.

Together with an interdisciplinary team—bringing together expertise in immunology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and both preclinical and clinical research —Victor Zevallos is currently investigating the immunomodulatory effects of dietary proteins in gastrointestinal diseases, the interactions between food components and pharmacological therapies, and the role of the microbiome in the gut–brain axis. Students at KL Krems and its partner institutions are actively involved in these projects, from laboratory work to clinical trials, as part of their bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral studies. 
 

Looking to the Future

Victor Zevallos identifies significant research needs, particularly in the areas of personalized nutrition and microbiome research, the mechanisms underlying nutrition–disease interactions, and sustainable food systems. “The aim is to gain a deeper understanding of the complex interactions between the gut microbiome, metabolism, and the immune system, and to translate this knowledge into personalized nutritional strategies and preventive approaches. The greatest challenges lie in the inherent complexity of biological systems, methodological limitations, and the time required to conduct robust clinical studies. Yet, it is precisely this complexity that makes this work so compelling.”, Zevallos concluded.