Christina has a background in Plant Genetics and Molecular Biology. After graduating NC State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences, she worked as a Research Associate in a private plant biotechnology company for 15 years. While working, she completed her Masters of Genetics degree at NCSU. Her research primarily included novel plant promoter isolation and characterization and DNA excision technology in crop plants. Several patents applications have been published on her work, one which is now an issued US patent. During her later years in the company, she gained experience as an IP Scientist researching Intellectual Property in patents for the newly discovered genes and advancing technologies.
Now Christina is helping with the research of microbes on primate skin and is leading the Cheese Microbiome project.
Christina is actively involved with her twin’s elementary school classrooms, creating group learning experiences for the students, especially activities about science.
Check out the Citizen Science project Cheese Alive!