Standards · Research · Translation
I develop certification standards, validate microbiome-targeted interventions, and research microbial metallomics to bridge the gap between discovery and application. Founder of five organizations spanning food safety, microbiome medicine, and animal welfare.
Currently
Building
Tinies platform (tinies.app) connecting sanctuaries with sponsors. Landing page redesign and content strategy in progress.
Researching
Microbial metallomics, nickel-dependent pathogenesis, and the endometriosis microbiome signature. HMTc standards for new product categories.
Operating
Paleo Foundation (paleofoundation.com) certification programs. Gardens of St. Gertrude (gardensofstgertrude.com) cat sanctuary in Parekklisia, Cyprus, caring for 92 cats.
Ventures
Every project connects back to translating complex systems science into frameworks that people can actually use.
Founder & CEO
Certification standards for Paleo, Keto, Grain-Free, and Heavy Metal Tested products
Founder & Lead Researcher
Formalizing disease-associated microbiome patterns for clinical translation
Founder & Editor
Integrating trace metal analysis into microbiome and food safety research
Founder
Connecting animal sanctuaries with sponsors and supporters worldwide
Founder
A cat sanctuary in Parekklisia, Cyprus
By the numbers
What people say
“Well if it isn't the oracle herself! Too bad we don't have a recording of that call. And now you need to put out a 2030 trends prediction piece.”
Fred Hart
Founder, Interact (CPG Brand & Packaging Design)
After Karen predicted in 2020 that Pepsi would put prebiotics on their cans, which happened in 2026.
“Karen is one of the most multi-talented and intelligent people I have ever met. Her passion for solving difficult problems in fields of medicine, agriculture, and nutrition are what makes her a one-of-a-kind human and an absolute force in any industry she takes interest in.”
Via LinkedIn
“Trying to articulate exactly how I feel about Karen is difficult. Mainly because she is one of the smartest people I know. And because when I talk with her at times I feel out of my league, and have to Google half the shit she tells me. To say that Karen is one of my favorite people on the planet would be an understatement.”
Via LinkedIn
Writing
Research articles, analysis, and essays on microbiome science, metallomics, food safety, and systems thinking.
In 2009 I called Paleo. In 2020 I told Fred Hart that Pepsi would put prebiotics on their cans. He called me 'the oracle' when it happened. Here's what I see coming. I'm always too early on timing. I've never been wrong about direction.
Necrotizing enterocolitis kills more preterm infants than any other gastrointestinal emergency. I believe dietary nickel is a catalytic driver, and I can show you the mechanism.
Sugar and carbohydrate intake have been declining since the late 1990s. Obesity is still rising. Lab rats on controlled diets are getting fatter. So are pets. Something systemic is happening and I don't think it's sugar.
The story
After years of misdiagnoses and failed treatments, I became the first known person to undergo fecal microbiota transplantation for Celiac Disease. That experience changed the trajectory of my career and led to everything you see here.
Read the full story