Dr Elisa Di Stefano on her non-academic secondment at Danone Global Research and Innovation Centre, Paris-Saclay, France

30 Jul 2025

For Elisa, the secondment at the Daniel Carasso Danone Global Research & Innovation Centre in Paris-Saclay was an invaluable opportunity to broaden her scientific expertise and career perspective. Read what Elisa has to say about the great opportunity she had. 

During my four-month placement with the MNS (Medical and Nutritional Science) team, I gained key insights into the challenges of applying beneficial microbes, such as bifidobacteria, from laboratory research to commercial products. I learned how microbial survival, product palatability, and affordability present hurdles in developing functional foods that effectively deliver beneficial bacteria to consumers.

At the same time, I had the opportunity to master state-of-the-art in vitro digestion models, such as the DASbox system, which simulates physiological conditions to aid in the selection of bifidobacteria that can survive digestion and remain viable in the gut. Additionally, this experience provided firsthand exposure to how scientists operate within a multinational company, highlighting the value of postdoctoral skills in an industry setting. Expanding my professional network within the MNS team has been particularly beneficial for scientific exchange and potential future collaborations.

Beyond the scientific benefits, this secondment was a crucial career-development experience, deepening my understanding of how academic expertise translates into industry applications. It reinforced the importance of building academic-industry relationships—whether for future collaborations or exploring career opportunities in the corporate sector.

I am extremely grateful to the INSPIRE APC-Marie Curie fellowship for this unique opportunity, which has broadened my perspective and provided invaluable hands-on experience and professional connections within an industry setting.