Christina Hendrickson

Christina Hendrickson, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Biology in the Petree College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma City University. Her research bridges traditional dandelion medicine with modern scientific investigation, focusing on anticancer and antibacterial mechanisms. She teaches core courses including Cancer Biology, Human Anatomy/Physiology, and Microbiology while integrating undergraduate researchers into her lab.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Postdoctoral Research Fellow (2009-2012), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Dr. Hendrickson's research centers on dandelion's (Taraxacum officinale) molecular effects on cancer cells and bacteria. Her team discovered dandelion seed extract induces DNA damage, alters DNA repair genes, and triggers programmed cell death in cervical cancer cells while demonstrating efficacy against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This dual-focus work combines phytochemical analysis with cellular oncology to identify bioactive constituents and their mechanisms.

Analysis of her 15 most recent publications reveals consistent emphasis on dandelion's cytotoxic effects on HeLa cells and antibacterial properties against common pathogens. The research spans molecular oncology, microbiology, and natural product chemistry, with increasing focus on DNA repair pathways and energy metabolism disruption in cancer cells since 2019.

Scientific Awards:

• First place undergraduate poster at END2Cancer Conference (2023)
• First place/grand prize at OCU Undergraduate Research Day (2022, 2024)
• First place at Oklahoma EPSCOR Research Day (2021)
• Outstanding poster at Oklahoma Academy of Science (2019)
• Third place at Oklahoma EPSCOR Research Day (2024)

Dr. Hendrickson mentors undergraduates through all research phases—from literature review to conference presentations—with students consistently winning awards. As co-advisor for Tri Beta (biology honor society), she fosters scientific leadership. Her lab receives institutional support evidenced by recurring conference presentations and publications despite no explicitly listed external grants.

The Hendrickson Research Lab employs molecular biology and microbiological techniques to study dandelion's therapeutic potential. This collaborative environment trains students in cell culture, gene expression analysis, and phytochemical screening while advancing natural product pharmacology for cancer and antibiotic resistance applications.