Christine Mona

AR-130 CHS; 28-118 CHS

Education
Philosophiae doctor (Pharmacology) / 2016
Department of Pharmacology & Physiology, Université de Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
MOOC in Project Management / 2015
École Centrale de Lille, France
Master of Science (Biomolecular Chemistry) / 2010
Department of Chemistry, Université de Montpellier, France
Bachelor of Science (Biomolecular Chemistry) / 2008
Department of Chemistry, Université de Montpellier, France

Experience
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, UCLA, 2020 – present
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, 2016-2019
Graduate Student, Université de Sherbrooke, 2011-2016
Research Scientist, Roche Pharma Inc., 2010

Research Description:

I am a pharmacologist with a focus on experimental and translational oncology. Over the course of my undergraduate studies, my passion for scientific knowledge and the ability to share that knowledge with others has led to my decision to pursue a doctoral degree in pharmacology-medicinal chemistry with the ultimate career goal to produce a positive impact on the health of mankind. After I completed my PhD, I made a conscientious decision to enter a field which would provide me with a sense of achievement and, at the same time, allow me branch out my passion for basics science and my desire to see this research translates in health improvement for patients. Translational research at UCLA and especially in the Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology offers both of my requirements in applying modern scientific discoveries to the practice of medicine. Our department has access to pioneering research in targeted nuclear medicine in different cancer paradigms. My aim is to advance the understanding of the role of FAP-positive cells in cancer tumorigenesis and resistance to therapies, especially in prostate, sarcoma and pancreatic cancer. An additional aim is to evaluate FAP-targeted RNT as a new potential therapeutic approach. Through animal studies, I explore resistance mechanisms to FAP-targeted RNT, design rational combination therapies and evaluate them in different in vivo models to lay the foundations for translation in clinical settings in nuclear medicine.