Meghan Koch

Assistant Professor in the Basic Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and member of both the Immunotherapy Integrated Research Center (IIRC) and Pathogen-Associated Malignancies Integrated Research Center (PAM IRC). Her research examines how maternal-derived signals—particularly breastmilk antibodies—shape infant immunity, metabolism, and gut microbiota development, with implications for lifelong health outcomes including allergy and asthma risk.

Education:

• PhD in Immunology, University of Washington, 2010
• BS in Cell & Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, 2004

Dr. Koch's lab investigates how maternal antibodies transmitted via breastmilk instruct neonatal immune systems to coexist with gut microbes, preventing harmful inflammation while supporting healthy growth. Current projects dissect antibody mechanisms, long-term consequences of disrupted maternal-neonatal interactions, and roles of other milk components like cytokines. Her work bridges immunology, microbiome science, and developmental biology to uncover foundational principles of early-life immune education.

Scientific Awards:

• 2019 Rita Allen Foundation Scholar

Dr. Koch's research has driven significant media coverage including Hutch News features on maternal immune instruction (2022), microbiota-neonatal health relationships (2025), and foundational mechanisms of maternal-fetal immunity (2020). Her lab actively develops novel in vivo models to explore therapeutic pathways for improving infant health through maternal-derived factors.

The Koch Lab operates within Fred Hutch's collaborative Basic Sciences Division, focusing on fundamental biological questions through interdisciplinary approaches to maternal-infant health.