Todd Nystul

Todd Nystul is a faculty member at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) specializing in stem cell biology, developmental genetics, and epithelial dynamics. His research builds on foundational work from his postdoctoral fellowship in Allan Spradling's lab at the Carnegie Institution and his graduate studies with Mark Roth at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Nystul's work focuses on

• Epithelial stem cell lineage regulation
• Cell fate decisions in Drosophila ovarian niches
• Metabolic and morphological influences on stem cell behavior

Education:

• B.S. in Molecular Biology, University of California San Diego (1993–1997)
• Ph.D. in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington (1999–2004)
• Postdoctoral training in Stem Cell Biology and Developmental Genetics, Carnegie Institution of Science (2004–2009)

Nystul's research bridges genetic regulation in Drosophila models with broader implications for human stem cell biology and cancer. His lab has developed key methodologies for single-cell RNA sequencing and intracellular pH imaging, and his publications reflect expertise in stem cell competition, Wnt signaling, and epithelial plasticity. Notably, his work on Drosophila follicle stem cells underpins patents and the formation of biomedical company Ikaria, Inc.

Scientific Awards:

• National Science Foundation Fellowship Honorable Mention (1999)
• HHMI Postdoctoral Scholar (2005)
• Keystone Symposium Scholarship (2007)

Nystul actively mentors lab members and collaborates with colleagues like Zena Werb, Susan Fisher, and Diane Barber. He has secured multiple NIH grants including R35GM136348 (2020–2025) and R01GM097158 (2011–2020), with additional co-investigator roles in R01GM116384 (2015–2019) and R21CA164404 (2012–2015).