Katie Holton: From Washington to Montpellier with Fulbright
Katie Holton is an adjunct professor in the Department of Health Sciences and the Department of Neuroscience at American University in Washington, D.C., in the United States. Her research focuses on the harmful effects of food additives on neurological symptoms, as well as the protective effects of certain micronutrients on the brain. She will be visiting the Desbret Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (Idesp) from January to May 2026.
Her award-winning research project is titled: “Assessment of the Impact of Food Processing on Mental Health Outcomes in France”. Her goal? To study the French diet in order to identify all dietary sources of free glutamate (the main component of food additives used to enhance flavor in ultra-processed foods), and then to examine the extent to which consumption of these additives might be associated with mental health issues in France.
Throughout her research stay in Montpellier, which will run from January to May 2026, Katie Holton will work alongside Tasnime Akbaraly, an Inserm researcher specializing in nutrition, at the Desbret Institute of Epidemiology and Public Health (Idesp).
The University of Montpellier and the Franco-American Fulbright Commission have signed an agreement establishing research fellowships for researchers affiliated with the University who wish to visit a U.S. university or research institute, and vice versa. These fellowships cover stays of 3 to 12 months, depending on the research project.