The Team

Principal Investigator

My interest in health was shaped early by family experiences that highlighted the profound impact of nutrition. My British grandfather survived severe malnutrition as a prisoner of war in Southeast Asia during World War II, and my father later dedicated his career to developing global food fortification programs to mitigate nutrient deficiencies. After my training in Immunology, these influences led me to a central question that now defines my research: how do nutrients shape immune function and, in turn, disease outcomes? Through my work, I focus on uncovering how specific nutrients regulate immune cell behavior and contribute to health and chronic disease. Outside the lab, I enjoy spending time with my family and staying active through sports, especially soccer. If you ask my wife, apparently watching it on TV doesn't count.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Geil received her PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of California, San Francisco in 2021 and worked as a scientist at 23andMe Therapeutics and Genentech. Her PhD work in the Scharschmidt Lab at UCSF focused on deciphering immunological mechanisms involved in intestinal and skin inflammation, notably the IL-1 pathway. In industry, she worked on the FLT3LG-FLT3R pathway in dendritic cells and the TL1A-DR3 pathway in T cells, with a focus on lupus (SLE) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), respectively. As a postdoc in the Hurrell Lab, she is eager to further develop expertise on ILC2s and lung biology. 

Undergraduate Researcher

Ellie is a third-year student-athlete pursuing a B.S. in Molecular and Medical Microbiology with a minor in Viticulture and Enology. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she is a member of the UC Davis women's swim team and an avid cook. Ellie is very interested in the interactions between the immune system and gut microbiome as well as how adjustments to our diet can impact immune function and combat disease. As an undergraduate researcher in the Hurrell lab, she is excited to expand her knowledge of immunology and contribute to investigating how changes in micronutrient bioavailability impact ILC2 function. After completing her B.S., she intends to pursue a Ph.D. in Immunology. 

Undergraduate Researcher

Matthew is a second-year student pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He is interested in researching immune responses that contribute to asthma and hopes to contribute to ILC2 research while learning key lab techniques. Outside of academics, he enjoys producing music and playing video games. After completing his B.S., he plans to apply to medical school.