Bushra Schuitemaker
Dr. Bushra Schuitemaker is a microbiologist and zoologist serving as Head of Microbiology at Pooch & Mutt and Head of Science & Research at BIOME9, specializing in companion-animal microbiome research.
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APPEARANCES
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PODCASTS
Aug 21, 2026
Lindsay BeatonHOST
Why has the gut-brain axis taken up so much space in the conversation about the microbiome to this point? What made that come first in the list of things?
Bushra SchuitemakerGUEST
I think partly the gut microbiome itself is the first and easiest microbial community to really study at scale.
Bushra SchuitemakerGUEST
Fecal samples are relatively easy to collect, especially in dogs, and as a dog owner, it's something we have quite a close relationship and proximity with.
Bushra SchuitemakerGUEST
I know when I first got my rescue dogs, it was the main topic of conversation in the household in terms of monitoring that health.
Bushra SchuitemakerGUEST
But then thinking more about that gut-brain axis, as humans, we know that when we're a little bit stressed, it can cause us to have stomach upsets, and we see a very similar pattern in dogs as well.
6 MINS LATER
Lindsay BeatonHOST
What are some of those other systems, and how are we finding that the microbiome is influencing them to begin with?