Gemma Douilhet

Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Notkestrasse 85 (building 94 (CXNS) – room O3.112)
22607 Hamburg, Germany

Research Scientist

My main research interests are focused on the mathematical and computational modelling of biological systems, particularly in the context of the regulation of immunological functions. My current project has the aim of developing a mathematical model of of the JAK/STAT pathways in the gut epithelium and predicting the changes to local immune responses upon challenge with JAK inhibiting drugs such as Upadacitinib and Tofacitinib. JAK/STAT pathways play a key role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, via the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, and it has been shown in clinical trials that inhibiting these pathways can lead to disease remission in some patients. By modelling this system, it is hoped that we will be able to explore the mechanisms by which this disease is controlled in order to provide improved understanding and prediction of clinical responses.

Academic Career


Since 2022	Postdoctoral research scientist in the FS-TUXS group of DESY and the group of Prof. Samuel Huber at UKE, Hamburg, Germany.
2018-2022	PhD in Infection and Immunology, University of Southampton, UK. Thesis title: In silico modelling of Toll-Like Receptor signalling pathways in human epidermal keratinocytes allows for the prediction of immune responses to encountered antigens.
2017-2018	M.Sc in Mathematical Biology, Ecology and Medicine at Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
2010-2013	B.Sc in Mathematics, University of Essex, UK.