Maria Julia Golloso-Gubat, PhD, is a scientist at the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI) under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the Philippines. Her research focuses on the intersection of nutrition, genetics, and gut microbiota, with particular emphasis on Filipino children and adolescents. She has published extensively on topics such as allele-specific differences in FTO and MC4R genes, dietary intake patterns, eating behavior, and the role of gut microbiota in nutritional status.
Dr. Gubat earned her advanced degrees from Wageningen University and Research (Netherlands), where she specialized in nutrition and health sciences. She has collaborated with international partners, including Harvard School of Public Health, DSM-Firmenich, and the International Rice Research Institute, contributing to multidisciplinary studies that link nutrition to public health outcomes.
Her work at DOST-FNRI supports the Philippines’ national nutrition agenda by generating evidence to inform food security, dietary guidelines, and public health interventions. With over 25 publications and growing citations, she is recognized as a leading voice in advancing nutrition science in the country.