Monica Strain

Monica is a PhD student in the Physiology and Neurobiology program at the University of Connecticut. She has been passionate about advancing the understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders, a journey deeply rooted in her personal experience of losing her twin sister to such a condition. This profound experience inspired Monica to pursue a doctorate, where she conducts research on rare neurodevelopmental disorders under the mentorship of Dr. Daniel Mulkey. Her current work focuses on Rett syndrome (RTT), investigating the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying respiratory problems in RTT, with the goal of identifying potential therapeutic targets. Monica’s commitment to the rare disease community has also sparked her interest in OCNDS, which has led to her involvement with the CSNK2A1 Foundation. Outside of research, Monica enjoys running, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.