PhD Candidate
Tulane University
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
My name is Chandler Monk, M.S. and I am a Bioinnovation PhD candidate at Tulane University (Expected May 2025) focusing on molecular Point of Care diagnostics. I specialize in CRISPR-Cas12 diagnostics and herpesvirus seeking to provide universal point of care screening.
The Bioinnovation PhD program is Interdisciplinary, including classes in biomedical engineering and business. During the curriculum years of my PhD I took IP Law at Tulane Law school and found an interest in patent law. This led me to an internship with the technology transfer office, researching innovation and new inventions everyday. Along with my time spent interning at the FDA, these experiences encouraged me to pursue bench to bedside/translatable research.
Previous research during my masters in microbiology, included investigating metabolic and energetic demands of cytomegalovirus and SARS-CoV-2 infection. My undergrad research included the use of bacteriophage to treat waterborne bacterial contamination and improve water purification methods. I spent 4 years as a Division I soccer student athlete and 2 years as a team captain facilitating team events, mentoring young women, and organizing fundraisers.