Michelle Monje

Michelle Monje for the NINDS

Michelle Monje is an American neuroscientist and neuro-oncologist known for her research on gliomas, particularly diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG). She is a professor of neurology at Stanford University and a leading figure in the study of the interactions between neurons and cancer cells in the brain.

Early Life and Education

Michelle Monje was born in California. She completed her undergraduate studies at Vassar College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in biochemistry. She then pursued her MD and PhD at Stanford University, focusing on neuroscience.

Career

After completing her medical and doctoral training, Monje joined the faculty at Stanford University as an assistant professor in the Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences. Her research has significantly advanced the understanding of how neural activity influences the growth and development of gliomas.

Research

Monje's research primarily focuses on the mechanisms by which neuronal activity affects glioma growth. Her work has demonstrated that synaptic and neuronal activity can promote the proliferation of glioma cells. This groundbreaking research has opened new avenues for potential therapeutic strategies targeting the tumor microenvironment.

One of her notable contributions is the identification of the role of neurotransmitters in glioma progression. Her lab has shown that glutamate released by neurons can stimulate glioma cell growth, suggesting that targeting neurotransmitter pathways could be a viable approach to treating these aggressive brain tumors.

Awards and Honors

Michelle Monje has received numerous awards for her contributions to neuroscience and neuro-oncology, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director's New Innovator Award and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) NextGen Grant for Transformative Cancer Research.

Personal Life

Monje is married and has children. She balances her professional career with her family life and is an advocate for women in science and medicine.

See Also

• Neuroscience
• Neuro-oncology
• Glioma
• Stanford University
• Neurotransmitter
• Brain tumor

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