Maria Cristina Munteanu
About Maria Cristina Munteanu
Maria Cristina Munteanu is a Senior Scientist II at Sonata Therapeutics, where she leads translational efforts for small molecule inhibitors in lung fibrosis and oncology. She has extensive experience in research and development, having worked at Oklahoma State University and Inzen Therapeutics, and holds degrees in Nursing Science and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Work at Sonata Therapeutics
Maria Cristina Munteanu serves as a Senior Scientist II at Sonata Therapeutics, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she leads translational efforts for small molecule inhibitors, focusing on lung fibrosis and oncology. Munteanu coordinates with multidisciplinary preclinical discovery teams, including Biology, DMPK, and Medicinal Chemistry, to advance various programs. She designs and executes studies to establish proof of concept for small molecule inhibitors in fibrosis and oncology programs. Additionally, she develops cell-based assays for the characterization and validation of leads intended for clinical development.
Education and Expertise
Maria Cristina Munteanu has a robust educational background in the life sciences. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Nursing Science from Victor Babes Nursing School in Bucharest, Romania, from 1996 to 1999. Munteanu furthered her studies at the University of Bucharest, where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from 1997 to 2001. She completed her PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology at the same university from 2003 to 2007. This educational foundation supports her expertise in conducting pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic studies.
Background
Maria Cristina Munteanu has extensive experience in research roles, primarily at Oklahoma State University. She worked as a Research Associate PhD from 2010 to 2016, followed by another term from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, she held a position as a Research Associate PhD for one year in 2016-2017 and again from 2019 to 2021. After her tenure at Oklahoma State University, she worked at Inzen Therapeutics as a Senior Scientist from 2021 to 2022 before joining Sonata Therapeutics.
Achievements
Throughout her career, Maria Cristina Munteanu has made significant contributions to the fields of oncology and fibrosis research. She coordinates efforts with Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to conduct studies assessing tolerability and efficacy. Her work includes designing studies that demonstrate proof of concept for small molecule inhibitors, which are crucial for advancing therapeutic options in these areas. Munteanu's collaborative approach with multidisciplinary teams enhances the development of innovative solutions in clinical research.