Take 10 with... Taygen Edwards

1. Describe your research topic to us in 10 words or less.

Can gut microbiome transfer capsules improve gut issues and wellbeing in autistic people?

2. Now describe it in everyday terms!

I am part of the Gut Bugs team. We are on a mission to discover a more effective therapy to improve gut issues in autistic people, which are common in this population and may improve their quality of life. We are conducting an exciting clinical trial in New Zealand, comparing gut microbiome transfer capsules with placebo capsules in 100 autistic participants. So far, we have treated 67 people living in New Zealand and are now seeking a final 33 autistic people who would like to contribute to this important research.

3. What are some of the day-to-day research activities you carry out?

I manage the daily activities of the trial, requiring a blend of strategic planning, problem-solving, leadership, and oversight. My daily routine is unpredictable and varies as I adapt to the evolving needs of the trial, our stakeholders, team, and participants, so I face unique challenges and rewards. Some constant activities include writing and maintaining trial and project management documents, preparing reports and ethics submissions, managing the budget, monitoring progress against milestones to develop timely strategic responses, and communicating with all of our superb internal and external stakeholders.

4. What do you enjoy most about your research?

Hmmm… It's hard to pinpoint what I enjoy most about my work. Engaging with our incredible autistic participants certainly stands out, as each individual is unique and has taught me something new. Additionally, working alongside a multidisciplinary team of world-class scientists, clinicians, and visionaries is very rewarding.

5. Tell us something that has surprised or amused you in the course of your research.

One surprising aspect of research is how, no matter how well you plan, things seldom go according to those plans! If you want to manage clinical trials, adaptability, agility, and resilience are your secret superpowers, so make sure to take the time to develop them.

6. How have you approached any challenges you’ve faced in your research?

Challenges are a chance to exploit opportunities which may or may not result in benefits. For example, conflict is often viewed as unfavourable and should be avoided. However, if managed effectively, it is an excellent way to generate new ideas and ways of doing things and overcoming problems. Therefore, embrace conflict and approach it with emotional intelligence, proactivity, and curiosity to find insights and other benefits.

7. What questions have emerged as a result?

Research is a constant quest for improvement. One key perpetual question in my role is how to improve our processes to be more efficient and innovative. For example, can we use lean manufacturing principles to achieve cost and time efficiencies, and should we make our leadership and operational processes more agile? Clinical trials are evolving with advancements in technology and medicine and changes in budget and regulatory constraints, so it is crucial to keep our project management methodologies updated and relevant.

8. What impact is your research having, or what impact do you hope it will have?

We hope this clinical trial will confirm whether gut microbiome transfer effectively improves gut issues and the quality of life in autistic people. Additionally, we aim to deepen our understanding of how the gut microbiome affects health and wellbeing outcomes in this population.

9. If you collaborate across the University, or outside the University, who do you work with and how does it benefit your research?

We collaborate with many stakeholders outside of the University. Two key stakeholders for this trial are Autism NZ and Altogether Autism, whose input into the trial’s design and continued involvement have been invaluable. For example, both groups were involved in our webinar ‘Spotlight on Autism Research’ held in November 2023 (Watch Spotlight on Autism Research Webinar).

10. What one piece of advice would you give your younger, less experienced research self?

There are two pieces of advice I would give my younger self. Firstly, abandon the notion of perfection – it does not exist. Embrace failures and approach them with a 'fail fast' mindset, accelerating early learning and building resilience. Secondly, never underestimate the importance of emotional intelligence in fostering relationships, which is crucial for early and ongoing professional success.