Christy Montano, PhD

Post-doctoral Fellow

I am a postdoctoral research fellow in the Tsai lab. A Los Angeles native, I completed my undergraduate studies at UCLA, where I investigated the role of oxidized lipids in rheumatoid arthritis under the guidance of Dr. Christina Charles-Schoeman. Following two years in a cancer diagnostics lab, I pursued my PhD in the Carpenter lab at UC Santa Cruz. My doctoral research focused on functionally characterizing novel long noncoding RNAs in acute myeloid leukemia using high-throughput CRISPR screening, RNA sequencing, and cell-based functional assays. I am driven by the potential for high-throughput discovery to translate into meaningful advancements in cancer therapeutics!

Research interests: Research interests: I am passionate about bridging the gap between basic cancer biology and clinical application, utilizing mechanistic insights to pioneer novel strategies for cancer detection and treatment. 

Favorite food: Chicken vodka pasta and lots of parmesan cheese (it's mandatory!)

Beverage of choice and protocol for preparation: Iced coffee: 2 shots of espresso with brown sugar and cinnamon, a splash of cold water, and frothed oat milk on top!

Favorite lab technique: RT-qPCR, tests my pipetting skills and fast turnaround results.

Hobbies: Gym, reading fantasy books with my friends, trying new baking recipes, and watching true crime documentaries.