Thanks for stopping by! My name is Christina Nowicki and I am a biomedical scientist and Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Illinois Chicago in the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. My work sits at the intersection of microbiology, endocrinology, and oncology with a primary focus on how the gut microbiome modulates host physiology, hormone metabolism, and environmental responses.

My Research career has been rooted in translational science, specifically understanding how complex microbial communities interact with the human body to influence systemic health and disease. Over the course of my Ph.D. at Rush University and time as a Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of Chicago, I have investigated everything from engineered bacterial-based cancer immunotherapies to the complexities of the breast cancer “estrobolome”.

Currently, my research expands beyond oncology to explore how resident gut microbes interact with endocrine pathways, diet, and environmental pollutants to influence systemic health. Alongside my laboratory research, I am a passionate advocate for science communication and leadership, serving on the Executive Board for the Associatioin for Women in Science Chicago Area Chapter (AWIS-CAC) and the Chicago Women in STEM Initiative (CWIS).