Plant-based meat analogs in Human Nutrition and Health

HiWi / BSc / MSc Thesis Projects Available

Are you passionate about sustainable food innovation and human health? Join our interdisciplinary research initiative focused on plant-based meat analogs (PBMA) — a promising alternative to conventional meat, with the potential to meet growing protein demands while reducing environmental impact.

Despite their increasing popularity, the nutritional equivalence of PBMA to animal-based meat remains poorly understood. Our research aims to fill this gap by developing more nutritious PBMA and studying their impact on human health.

This collaborative project is led by the Sustainable Food Processing Laboratory and the Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolic Epigenetics. As a HiWi, Bachelor’s, or Master’s student, you’ll become an integral part of a dynamic, multidisciplinary team.

Opportunities include:

• HiWi / BSc / MSc Projects: Develop innovative protocols to benchmark PBMA using in vitro and ex vivo systems, including human cell cultures, microfluidic devices, and microbiota cultivation.
• MSc Thesis Projects: Investigate the effects of short- and long-term PBMA consumption in vivo using cutting-edge omics technologies.

How to Apply:

Send your CV and a motivation letter to:

📧 Dr. Thomas Agius (thomas.agius@hest.ethz.ch)

📧 Dr. Fengzheng Gao (fengzheng.gao@hest.ethz.ch)

📧 CC: our teaching address (nutritionteaching@hest.ethz.ch)

We look forward to welcoming motivated students motivated to contribute to the future of sustainable nutrition!