Spectrum News: Researcher with disabilities shares journey
UC postdoctorate fellow discusses the desire to encourage others like her in STEM fields
A day in the life of Christina Wicker, PhD, a postdoctorate fellow and researcher at the University of Cincinnati, is no walk in the park, mostly due to her disabilities and chronic pain.
But she's not letting that stop her from doing something she loves.
Wicker spends hours a day in a lab setting, conducting important cancer research that could help patients one day, but that isn’t easy for her.
“When I come home on days where I’ve done a lot, I’m on the couch. I can barely move," she said.
She has Klippel-Feil syndrome, as well as several other physical disabilities that cause her chronic pain.
She hopes her journey will inspire someone to continue to work towards their goals, no matter their physical abilities.
“If I can make things better for somebody coming behind me, a more junior scientist, it’ll be worth it,” she says.
Read the full Spectrum News story.
Read more about Wicker's research in this UC News story.
Featured photo of Christina Wicker in her lab by Colleen Kelley.
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Stay up on all UC's COVID-19 stories, or take a UC virtual visit and begin picturing yourself at an institution that inspires incredible stories.
Related Stories
‘Designer drug’ shows early neuroprotective signal in acute ischemic stroke
October 28, 2025
Medscape highlighted new trial results led by the University of Cincinnati's Eva Mistry that found an experimental drug shows promise in protecting injured brain cells for patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Meet the young talent reshaping Cincinnati’s startup scene
October 28, 2025
Five University of Cincinnati students were honored for their impactful entrepreneurship on the Cincy Inno Under 25 list. We’ll explain what makes each student – and their startup – stand out.
UC Board votes to fund design for YMCA renovation
October 28, 2025
At its October 28, 2025 meeting, the University of Cincinnati Board of Trustees approved $5 million in funding to complete all design and pre-construction services required to renovate the interior of a former YMCA building located at 270 Calhoun Street.