Vidia A. Gokool

Experts / Vidia A. Gokool

Postdoctoral Researcher, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

I have spent years studying the composition and expression of human scent from its use as a forensic identifier to the underlying indications it yields about human health. I completed my doctoral studies at Florida International University where I established an instrumental method (using gas chromatography- mass spectrometry) that allows human scent samples to be associated to one another. Further development of tools like these will eventually allow us to quantify the similarity between two samples of human scent evidence and say how similar or dissimilar they are to one another.

Your unique body odor could identify who you are and provide insights into your health – all from the touch of a hand

From the aroma of fresh-cut grass to the smell of a loved one, you encounter scents in every part of your life. Not only are you constantly surrounded by odor, you’re also producing it. And it is so distinctive that it can be used to tell you apart from everyone around you.

Your unique body odor could identify who you are and provide insights into your health – all from the touch of a hand

From the aroma of fresh-cut grass to the smell of a loved one, you encounter scents in every part of your life. Not only are you constantly surrounded by odor, you’re also producing it. And it is so distinctive that it can be used to tell you apart from everyone around you.

By Dr Chantrell Frazier, Prof Kenneth G. Furton, Vidia A. Gokool

Clinical Articles

Public health

Vidia A. Gokool

Postdoctoral Researcher, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

More from this expert

Your unique body odor could identify who you are and provide insights into your health – all from the touch of a hand

From the aroma of fresh-cut grass to the smell of a loved one, you encounter scents in every part of your life. Not only are you constantly surrounded by odor, you’re also producing it. And it is so distinctive that it can be used to tell you apart from everyone around you.

Your unique body odor could identify who you are and provide insights into your health – all from the touch of a hand

From the aroma of fresh-cut grass to the smell of a loved one, you encounter scents in every part of your life. Not only are you constantly surrounded by odor, you’re also producing it. And it is so distinctive that it can be used to tell you apart from everyone around you.

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Vidia A. Gokool

Postdoctoral Researcher, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

More from this expert

Your unique body odor could identify who you are and provide insights into your health – all from the touch of a hand

From the aroma of fresh-cut grass to the smell of a loved one, you encounter scents in every part of your life. Not only are you constantly surrounded by odor, you’re also producing it. And it is so distinctive that it can be used to tell you apart from everyone around you.

Your unique body odor could identify who you are and provide insights into your health – all from the touch of a hand

From the aroma of fresh-cut grass to the smell of a loved one, you encounter scents in every part of your life. Not only are you constantly surrounded by odor, you’re also producing it. And it is so distinctive that it can be used to tell you apart from everyone around you.

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Healthed

Upcoming Healthed Webcast

New Brain Health Guidelines – What GPs Can Do

Tuesday 4th August, 7pm - 9pm AEST

Speaker

Scientia Prof Kaarin Anstey

Psychologist; Director, UNSW Ageing Futures Institute; ARC Laureate Fellow; Senior Principal Research Scientist, NeuRA

Scientia Prof Kaarin Anstey translates the WHO's updated 2026 dementia risk-reduction guidelines changes into concrete actions for opportunistic risk assessment and targeted advice in everyday general practice.