Kristen Farrell, PhD
Research Scientist, Lab Manager
I grew up in Elmhurst, Illinois, and then earned my undergraduate degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan in Biotechnology. While in school, I interned at Van Andel Research Institute, where I worked on a canine cancer genomics project. This was my first experience in canine cancer and I quickly came to love the field.
In 2016, I finished my PhD in cell and molecular biology at Colorado State University. After that, I did my postdoctoral work at MBC Pharma, Inc. I worked on bone-targeted therapeutics for bone cancers and infections.
I have always been very interested in the inner workings of cells and I am motivated to apply what I find to patients. This passion has guided my research and led me back to Colorado State University in 2021.
I am now the lab manager for the Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Laboratory, working under Dr. Thamm. This lab has developed and maintains approximately 30 canine and four feline cell lines for use in screening and identification of novel products. Our team seeks to provide meaningful translational information to inform and develop novel therapies with the potential to impact the treatment of human and animal cancers.
I love that our lab findings are immediately applied in the FACC’s clinical patients, and we can see results in real-time. The other things I love about the FACC are the collaborative environment and the way we are all working together to understand and treat cancer, as well as teaching and guiding trainees in the lab. The most rewarding part of my job is knowing that I can contribute to the understanding of cancer and its treatment.
When I’m not working, I love to do anything outdoors. I enjoy hiking, backpacking, fishing, and snowboarding.
I look forward to continuing the work of the Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Lab as we seek to treat cancer in all species.