Mariana Najjar, PharmD

Mariana Najjar is a second-year PhD candidate in Dr. Hui-Wei Lo’s lab at UTHealth Houston MD Anderson Cancer Center Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Her research focuses on developing therapies for breast cancer brain metastases (BCBM), specifically targeting tGLI1 using WF-229A, a novel inhibitor designed to cross the blood-brain barrier. Mariana actively contributes to her scientific community through mentoring, outreach programs, and service on the Cancer Biology Program Council. Recognized for her achievements, she has received awards for academic excellence and presentations. Outside the lab, she enjoys family time, caring for her cats, and fostering meaningful connections that align with her principals of hard-work, respect, and realism.