Monica Thukral

Monica Thukral has had a diverse range of work experiences. Monica started their career as a Research Intern at Children's Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA), where they focused on pediatric obesity and developed strategies to improve patients' nutrition and exercise habits. Monica then worked as a Communications Specialist at Mercy For Animals before transitioning to the field of research. Monica held multiple roles at the University of Southern California, including Laboratory Technician and Researcher, where they conducted research in environmental science and marine microbiology. Monica also interned at the Earth Science and Marine Microbiology departments, where they identified proteorhodopsin in marine phytoplankton. From there, Monica became a Research Fellow at the J. Craig Venter Institute and a Graduate Student Researcher at UC San Diego, where they conducted research in environmental microbiology as a Ph.D. student. Monica'smost recent experience was as a McKinsey Insight at McKinsey & Company.

Monica Thukral began their education by graduating from The Harker School in 2014, where they obtained their High School Diploma. Monica then pursued their Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry at the University of Southern California from 2014 to 2018. In 2018, they joined UC San Diego for further studies, earning a Master of Science degree in Marine Chemical Biology from 2018 to 2021. Currently, Monica is working towards a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at UC San Diego, which they are expected to complete in 2023.