Luxembourg research among the world’s most influential

LIH scientist Dr Mahesh Desai ranked among the world’s most Highly Cited Researchers

• Department of Infection and Immunity
• Nutrition, Microbiome and Immunity

Dr Mahesh Desai has been recognised in Clarivate’s 2025 “Highly Cited Researchers” report for his impactful work across several different fields. The prominent annual ranking distinguishes global leaders in the fields of science and technology whose work ranks in the top 1% by citations in the Web of Science™.

Dr Mahesh Desai, leader of the Nutrition, Microbiome & Immunity Group at the LIH Department of Infection and Immunity (DII), has been listed for the first time in the Cross-Field category, which rewards researchers who contribute multiple Highly Cited Papers in several different fields. Over the past decade, Dr Desai has published multiple highly cited and high-impact papers in the “Cross Field” category that are indexed in the Web of Science™. His research explores the complex interaction between the gut microbiome, nutrients and immune disorders and has a strong focus on both mechanistic as well as translational research involving patient cohorts. His latest papers range from primary studies and reviews to guidelines and strategies for other scientists, focusing specifically on the microbiome and digestion. In addition to being highly cited, his research has also been featured numerous times in mainstream national and international media outlets, including Der Spiegel.

Being recognised as an internationally influential scientist is an immense honour for our team, underscoring the relevance of our research in advancing current knowledge on the impact of nutrition on gut microbiome composition and the onset of immune diseases. It is also an unparalleled chance to uphold the institute’s and the country’s reputation as a global centre of excellence in ground-breaking research. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all my current and former lab members and collaborators for their invaluable support; this achievement is above all a recognition of their continued contributions,

commented Dr Desai.

Dr Desai is joined in this year’s list by two researchers from the University of Luxembourg, namely Dr Michael Heneka in the Neuroscience and Behaviour category, and Dr Alexandre Tkatchenko, featured in the Cross-Field category.

For more details, the full Clarivate “Highly Cited Researchers” report can be accessed here.