Open to opportunities

Monika Macakova

@monikamacakova

Message

I build reliable functional genomics workflows and train scientists to use them.

Finland

Message

What I'm looking for

I'm looking for a role where I can build and optimize genomics or assay workflows, solve technical problems, and help scientists or customers adopt reliable methods. I'm open to relocating to San Diego.

At the University of Helsinki, I lead functional genomics and drug-response research from pooled CRISPRi screening and assay development through molecular characterization and multi-omics follow-up. My work forms a first-author 2026 bioRxiv preprint.

I introduced lentiviral workflows, CRISPR screening and analysis, chromatin fractionation, and flow cytometry into routine lab use. I also redesigned live-cell imaging around the Opera Phenix, cutting four-condition acquisition time from 24 to 6 hours.

At UCSF, I owned pooled CRISPRi drug-gene interaction screens and developed a rapid PCR-based mycoplasma assay that enabled a same-day workflow restart. I enjoy turning complex methods into documented, reproducible workflows that colleagues can confidently use.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Doctoral Researcher - Functional Genomics & Gene Regulation

Current

University of Helsinki

Sep 2020 - Present (6 years)

Led an end-to-end functional genomics and drug-response program spanning pooled CRISPRi screening, assay development, molecular characterization and multi-omics follow-up. Introduced and standardized new technical capabilities, including lentiviral workflows, CRISPR screening, chromatin fractionation and flow cytometry.

CRISPRi Assay Development Lentiviral Workflows Flow Cytometry R Shiny Multi omics Protocol Development Troubleshooting Training

Visiting Researcher - Functional Genomics

University of California, San Francisco

Oct 2022 - Apr 2023 (6 months)

Executed pooled CRISPRi drug-gene interaction screens across three cancer cell lines and five conditions at high sgRNA representation. Owned the screening workflow from lentiviral production through NGS library preparation and data analysis.

CRISPRi Viral Vector Production Cell Culture Library Preparation MAGeCK R Troubleshooting

Research Fellow / Intern - Gene Regulatory Networks

Research Center Jülich GmbH

Feb 2020 - Jul 2020 (5 months)

Investigated gene-regulatory networks in Corynebacterium glutamicum using molecular biology, fluorescent reporter assays, DNA microarrays and quantitative data analysis.

Molecular Biology Reporter Assays Microarray Data Analysis

Research Intern - Master's Thesis

BOKU University Vienna

Feb 2019 - Jul 2019 (5 months)

Characterized transcriptional regulators in Komagataella phaffii using CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, cloning, RT-qPCR, protein analysis and proteomics-related workflows.

CRISPR Cas9 Cloning RT PCR Protein Analysis Proteomics

B2B IoT Project Support

Slovak Telekom

May 2015 - Jan 2019 (3 years 8 months)

Supported a B2B IoT team developing and commercializing technology solutions, researched emerging technologies and markets, prepared presentations, and supported business data analysis and project documentation.

IoT Market Research Presentation Skills Data Analysis Project Documentation