Meet the members of Lunken Lab
The Lunken Lab investigates the complex interactions between diet, the gut microbiome and inflammatory disease to develop personalized strategies to improve health outcomes for individuals with gastrointestinal conditions.
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor, Faculty of Medicine
The University of British Columbia, 2023
Registered Dietitian
The IBD Centre of BC, 2023
PhD, Nutritional Science
Massey University, 2017
Dr. Genelle Lunken
Investigator
I am an Assistant Professor with the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia (UBC). I am also a registered dietitian and the translational research lead at the IBD Centre of BC.
I completed my doctoral studies in Nutritional Science at Massey University in New Zealand, where my research primarily centred on investigating the impact of habitual dietary fibre intake on the response of gut microbiota to a prebiotic (fibre) intervention. In 2017, I relocated to Vancouver, Canada, to commence a postdoctoral fellowship under the guidance of Drs. Bruce Vallance and Kevan Jacobson at UBC. During my postdoctoral fellowship, my research interests expanded to explore the interplay between nutrition, gut microbiome, and inflammation using mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease.
As of 2023, I established my own research laboratory at UBC. My research focuses on expanding our knowledge of host-immune-microbe interactions, with a specific focus on identifying host (i.e., diet) and microbial factors involved in differing responses to medical and dietary therapies. By better understanding individualized responses to treatments, we can move towards developing and using personalized therapeutic programs to improve patient outcomes.
Research Coordinator
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
The University of British Columbia, 2022
PhD, Biochemistry and Nutrition
Institut Agro Rennes, 2016
Fanny Lemarie
Research Coordinator
I am the Clinical Trial Project Coordinator at the Lunken Lab and the IBD Centre of BC. I have been working at UBC since 2016, first as a postdoctoral fellow and then as a Research Associate until 2024, before joining the Lunken Lab. I hold a PhD in Biochemistry and Nutrition from the Institut Agro Rennes in France.
In my current role, I oversee the planning and implementation of several clinical studies, including multi-centre trials across Canada. My responsibilities include securing Research Ethics Board approvals, coordinating patient recruitment strategies, and ensuring that valuable data and patient samples are collected, stored, and analyzed to the highest standards.
Throughout my career, I have remained committed to advancing patient health through research.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my son and exploring Vancouver’s many playgrounds. I also love painting, drawing, and sewing.
Project Coordinator
OVCARE, 2025
PhD, Microbiology and Biochemistry
AgroParisTech, 2013
Elise Abi Khalil
Research Coordinator
I am a Clinical Research Coordinator at the Lunken Lab in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the IBD Centre of BC. I hold a Master’s degree in Food Law and Regulations and a PhD in Microbiology and Biochemistry from AgroParisTech in Paris, France.
With a background in project coordination and management across the health, food, and environmental sectors, I now focus on coordinating clinical studies at the Lunken Lab. My role includes recruiting and enrolling participants, overseeing study operations, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, developing study materials, and ensuring compliance with ethical and regulatory requirements.
What I find most fulfilling in my role is engaging with participants, guiding them through the research process, and contributing to studies that have a real impact on patient care and medical advancements.
In my spare time, I enjoy attending acting classes, where I let my imagination and creativity thrive. I also love spending quality time with my two little kids.
Postdoctoral fellow
Research Assistant
University of Calgary, 2024
PhD, Nutrition, Metabolism & Genetics
University of Calgary, 2025
Shrushti Sha
Postdoctoral Fellow
I am a postdoctoral fellow in Lunken Lab at the University of British Columbia, where I study spatial variation in the gut microbiota in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease. My work integrates multi-omics data to understand how microbial niches relate to disease activity and treatment response.
I hold a PhD in Nutrition, Metabolism & Genetics from the University of Calgary, where I explored how lifestyle factors shape the gut microbiome and cardiometabolic health. With a background in Pharmacy and Biochemistry, I am interested in bridging disciplines to inform personalized nutrition and microbiota-targeted therapies.
Beyond the lab bench, I enjoy reading, experiencing different cultures, and spending time in nature.
Graduate Students
MS Candidate, Experimental Medicine
The University of British Columbia, Expected: 2027
BSc, Biological Science
University of Calgary, 2023
Cristian Massaro
Master’s Student
I am interested in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease and the implications of the microbiome, which led me to The University of British Columbia where I began my graduate studies in the Lunken Lab after completing a BSc in Biological Sciences at the University of Calgary in 2023.
Currently, my research focuses on the nuanced interplay between nutritional and medical interventions in individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, with a significant emphasis on understanding the role of fungi in this context. My work aims to deepen our comprehension of existing therapies and pinpoint opportunities for improvement.
Outside of the lab, I am a strong advocate for the IBD community and have a passion for personal fitness and wellness.
PhD, Experimental Medicine
The University of British Columbia, Expected: 2028
MS, Gastrointestinal Scienc
University of Calgary, 2023
BMLSc, Medical Laboratory Science
The University of British Columbia, 2021
James Sousa
PhD Student
I am a PhD student in the Experimental Medicine program co-supervised by Dr. Genelle Lunken and Dr. Bruce Vallance. I came to study at the University of British Columbia after completing an MSc at the University of Calgary exploring the effects of a dietary intervention on macrophage function in patients with Crohn’s disease. My research interest lies in addressing the role of the host-diet-microbiome interaction in Crohn’s disease using techniques such as confocal imaging and intestinal organoids.
Outside of the lab, I am an active member of the local Crohn’s and Colitis Canada chapter and enjoy hiking and playing card games in my free time.
MS, Women+ and Children’s Health Sciences
The University of British Columbia, Expected: 2026
BSc NutrSc, Dietetics
McGill University, 2023
Mathilde Wilhelmy
Master’s Student
I am currently a graduate student in the Lunken Lab at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute. After graduating from McGill University with a degree in Dietetics, I worked as a registered dietitian in Quebec, gaining experience in private clinics. During this time, I observed a gap in specific guidance for people living with digestive issues, which peaked my interest in working with this specific population. I have always been passionate about nutrition, with a particular interest in the connections between nutrition, gut health, and women’s health. Currently, I am working on a project investigating the gut microbiome of pregnant women with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) across different trimesters of pregnancy.
My research interests include women’s health, gut health, nutritional epidemiology, and dietary intervention strategies. My goal is to deepen the understanding of gut microbiota for individuals with IBD to offer improved nutrition support and guidance.
In my free time, I enjoy running, trying out new cuisines, and spending time in nature.
Research Technician
Research Microbiologist
Federal University of Minas Gerais, 2023
PhD, Microbiology
Federal University of Minas Gerais, 2023
Gabriele Moreira Guimarães
Research Technician
I am a Brazilian native who recently relocated to Vancouver. I earned my Ph.D. in Microbiology from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Brazil, where I specialized in probiotic characterization and host signalling.
My expertise spans biochemistry, microbiota, molecular biology, and murine models, including germ-free mice. As a Research Technician at the Lunken Lab, I am eager to apply my knowledge and contribute to the team’s success.
Graduate Research Assistant
The University of British Columbia, 2024
MS, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The University of British Columbia, 2024
Mackenzie Melvin
Research Technician
I am one of the Research Technicians at the Lunken Lab. I have been with the University of British Columbia since I completed my BSc in Microbiology in 2021. Afterwards, I earned my MSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology where I focused on how certain carbohydrate structures found in the gut interplay with the microbiome to impact disease outcomes in mouse models. During this time, I gained experience working with different mouse models, histology, molecular biology techniques, and bacterial sequencing.
My research interests include dietary intervention studies, the mycobiome, and pediatric inflammatory bowel disease.
Outside the lab, I love walking my dog Clover, reading, and trying new restaurants in Vancouver.
Summer Students
BS, Dietetics
The University of British Columbia, Expected: 2025
Areej Altaf
Summer Student
I am a summer student in the Lunken Lab at the BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, where I’ve contributed to the OPTIMIST study by developing and optimizing laboratory protocols and handling various aspects of patient sample processing.
Currently, I am pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics at the University of British Columbia. My research interests include nutritional epidemiology, nutrition policy, dietary intervention strategies, and the gut microbiome’s role in health and disease.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time in nature and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.