Daria Chefan is a Master’s graduate in Molecular Biology and Genetics from Odesa I.I. Mechnikov National University in Ukraine. She completed her degree at the beginning of 2022, just before the war started.
During her studies, she gained practical experience in molecular biology research, with a focus on analyzing the transcripts of genes with diagnostic and prognostic value for acute leukemia therapy. Her thesis, titled “Molecular genetic causes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children of Odesa region,” was recognized as a valuable contribution to the department of oncohematology in the Odesa region.
In addition to her studies, Chefan completed an internship at the Medical Faculty Mannheim, Ruprecht Karls University Heidelberg in Germany, supported by EACR. During her internship, she participated in generating CRC cell lines and learned about basic cell and molecular biology, cell line biology, and genomic editing with CRISPR/Cas9. This work led to discoveries on how previously undescribed genomic lesions change the ability of CRC to metastasize and respond to particular therapeutics.
Daria’s passion for molecular biology comes from her lifelong interest in the humanitarian aspects of oncology. She has extensive experience working as a treatment counselor with oncological and palliative patients in Ukraine, collaborating with medical doctors across Europe.
“My wish is to be a part of the process of identifying new molecular targets and developing effective treatments, which will make a significant contribution to the field of medicine, mainly cancer research,” she says.
Although the ongoing conflict in Ukraine disrupted Chefan’s plans, she remains optimistic. “The Ukrainian scientific community is facing huge challenges,” she says. “We have the potential to emerge stronger and more connected than before, with support from the international scientific community.”