Dr. Evan Janzen, Ph.D., M.S.

Education

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S., Emporia State University 2010
• Molecular and Integrative Physiology, Masters, University of Kansas 2013
• Biomolecular Science and Engineering, Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara, Expected 2020

Bio

I earned my undergraduate degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Emporia State University if Emporia, Kansas with a minor in History in 2010. I received many academic and research scholarships while studying there and worked in multiple labs, including research to study toxicology of industrial solvents and to discover novel antibiotic compounds isolated from bacteria. I decided to continue my education at the University of Kansas Medical Center because I enjoyed working in labs and doing research. I received a master’s degree in Molecular and Integrative Physiology in 2013 and I wrote my thesis on telomerase regulation, which included research I performed while concurrently working at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research. After graduating, I decided to try working in industry and took a job as a technician for Bayer HealthCare, where I tested and developed products and methods for industrial drug production. I decided to return to school to earn my PhD because I missed working in academic research and joined the Biomolecular Science and Engineering program at UCSB in 2015. I now work in the lab of Irene Chen performing research on functional nucleic acids.

I’ve studied numerous research topics and learned many different skills and techniques while working in a number of labs in universities, research institutions, and industry, and I now know much more about the opportunities and possibilities of working in science than I did when I was in college. I’ve always enjoyed working with students and helping people think about their career goals, and I think it’s never too early to start thinking about the future.