Thirza van Deuren  is a PhD student at the department of Human Biology of the Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+). Her research focuses on the link between the gut microbiota, its metabolites, and metabolic health in overweight individuals. Thirza performs clinical research in collaboration with AAK Netherlands which aims to assess the effect of edible oil containing butyrate/hexanoate-enriched  triglycerides on metabolic health, in order to prevent and/or treat obesity. In 2017, she received her BSc in Life- and Biomedical Sciences (pre-med track) with Summa Cum Laude distinction at University College Roosevelt. Two years later, Thirza finished her master Molecular Nutrition and Toxicology at Wageningen University and Research and graduated cum laude.