Majoring in biochemistry, Jana obtained her Bachelor of Science degree at Portland State University in 2008. During her undergraduate education she worked as an undergraduate research associate in the lab of Dr. Keith Garlid studying the regulation of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel in the inner membrane of mitochondria and its role in cardiac protection after ischemic events. After receiving her undergraduate degree, Jana worked as a lab technician in industry and in 2012, after receiving several certifications in quality assurance and internal auditing, Jana started her own company providing private laboratories with guidance in managing and maintaining internal auditing and quality assurance systems. In 2014, Jana decided to continue her education and joined the graduate program at the University of Oregon in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to obtain her doctorate in biochemistry. Jana transferred to the University of Florida in 2015 when her research advisor, Dr. J. Andrew Berglund, accepted a faculty position with their Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. She joined the College of Medicine’s graduate Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences and her research in the Berglund group primarily focused on small molecule therapeutic approaches for the neuromuscular disorder myotonic dystrophy. Jana received her Doctor of Philosophy in medical sciences with a concentration in biochemistry and molecular biology in May 2019 from the University of Florida. We are lucky enough to retain Jana and she will continue on as a post-doctoral fellow in the Berglund Lab working on therapeutic approaches for neuromuscular disorders.
