Monica holds a PhD in Global Social Sciences from Doshisha University, Japan and a Master of Engineering in Applied Chemistry and Biotechnology from Nagoya University, Japan. In her undergraduate studies she studied Biomedical Engineering at the University of Pharmacy and Medicine in Iasi, Romania. After her PhD she worked on science and health policy issues in academia, international development or consultancy in Italy, Austria and the UK. Subjects included the biosafety evaluations of genetically modified crops, Responsible Research and Innovation, Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things and public health. A desire to work for non-profit organizations and in particular for one representing patients led her to MPE, which she joined in January 2024. Monica comes from Romania and currently resides in the UK. She speaks Romanian, English and Italian and has a working/partial understanding of French and Spanish.