Dr. Daniela Hampel is a Professional Researcher in the Department of Nutrition and a faculty member of the Institute for Global Nutrition at UC Davis. She is based at the USDA, ARS Western Human Nutrition Research Center (WHNRC). Her research focuses on maternal and infant nutrition, with particular expertise in developing and applying analytical methods to measure micronutrients, other bioactive compounds, and metabolomic profiles in human milk and blood. Her analytical expertise supports the assessment and interpretation of maternal and infant micronutrient status, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Her own research examines how maternal diet, health, and nutrition interventions influence human milk composition and the interconnected relationships within the mother-milk-infant triad. More information about her research can be found through the MILQ Lab.
Dr. Hampel trained as a food chemist at Goethe University Frankfurt in Germany, where she earned her doctoral degree studying the biosynthesis of terpenoid compounds in plant foods. She continued her work on terpenes at Washington State University, investigating Taxol biosynthesis, and later in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis, studying volatile flavor compounds in grapevines and grapes. Along the way, she expanded her analytical chemistry background to include molecular biology approaches.
Her transition into nutrition came somewhat unexpectedly. While looking for her next research opportunity, a colleague mentioned that the WHNRC was seeking an analytical scientist to develop methods for measuring micronutrients, particularly in human milk. What began as an unexpected career turn allowed her to apply her analytical expertise to an entirely new set of scientific questions and ultimately became the central focus of her research.
Outside the lab, Dr. Hampel enjoys spending time with her German Shepherd and working on her drumming skills. She also supports the family chocolate and cookie business, where her food chemistry background still comes in handy.