Alumni Spotlight: Christine Parachoniak’s journey from graduate student to industry leader

A clear current of passion for cancer research runs through Rosalind and Morris Goodman Cancer Institute (GCI) alumna Christine Parachoniak's journey, from her days as a graduate student to her current role as Associate Director at Foundation Medicine Inc.

As a doctoral candidate at the GCI, Christine investigated the role of the receptor tyrosine kinase MET in tumorigenesis, under the supervision of Professor Morag Park. She focused on understanding how MET activation is spatially regulated through endocytosis—a process by which receptors are internalized into vesicles following ligand binding. This research was supported by the CIHR, the Department of Biochemistry, the McGill University Health Centre, and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

Continuing to pursue her love for cancer research fostered at the GCI, Christine then went on to complete a postdoctoral fellowship in Boston studying cholangiocarcinoma. Afterwards, she made the decision to transition into the biotech industry, and now holds the title of Associate Director in the Genomic Analysis and Reporting group at Foundation Medicine Inc. In this role, she contributes to the development and support of products that deliver patient-specific information on genomic alterations in tumors. She communicates this information to healthcare providers and patients, assisting them in making informed treatment decisions. Thus, Christine is able to continue feeding her passion for supporting patients with cancer, while leveraging her scientific background in cancer research.

Reflecting on her time at the GCI, Christine credits the Institute with providing her with important training and experience that helped her get to where she is today. “It was formative in my development as a scientist and changed the way I approach scientific questions”, she shares. She also had the opportunity to develop her skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, self-motivation, and effective communication—proficiencies that are still valuable to her work today. Further, her experience at the Institute enabled her to identify the kind of career she wanted to have: “As a PhD student, I don’t think I could have imagined my current role; however, my tenure at the GCI clarified professional aspects that I did (and didn’t) want for the next step in my career”.

“Developing a strong foundation in both the scientific principles and their practical applications is important,” Christine emphasizes to those inspired to follow a similar path. She advises students to take any opportunities to gain hands-on experience—whether through internships, research projects, or collaborations—and to remain open to continuous learning to stay up-to-date with the fast-evolving healthcare landscape. Equally important, she notes, is building a strong network of mentors and peers, as their guidance and insights can help one navigate one’s own journey.

Christine Parachoniak’s trajectory exemplifies how a strong passion for advancing cancer research and treatment can drive real-world impact and shape a fulfilling career path. It is a powerful testament to the GCI’s role in fostering scientific leaders who are motivated to improve patient care and transform the future of cancer treatment.

Connect with Christine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-parachoniak-31557411/