As a Senior Executive, Commercial Growth & Innovation, Jana is working to establish a new business at Barrios Technologies supporting the development of economically sustainable and profitable uses of space. Throughout her career in the space industry, Jana has helped to create new market sectors in low-Earth orbit for in-space manufacturing of healthcare and technology applications. In addition to a strong technical background, Jana has a career history marked by successful identification of new business opportunities for private and public healthcare companies, along with product development and global commercialization of some of the most innovative healthcare technologies. She transitioned from a successful career in pharma, biotech and medical device, to lead life science research in microgravity as part of the team managing the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory (ISS-NL), served as Commercial Innovation Officer for Space Tango, and as Global Director, In-Space Manufacturing for Axiom Space. Jana envisions a future where the definition of ‘global’ will expand to include a robust commercial space economy in low Earth orbit (LEO) 250 miles up.
Jana is a member of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Committee on Biological and Physical Sciences in Space (NAS CBPSS), Regenerative Medicine Manufacturing Society member, NSF Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine In Space Innovation, Translation and Education Core (ITEC) Lead, a WOMEN In Advanced Therapies (WIAT) leadership mentor, The United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation (UMDF) Board of Trustees Member, and past New Organ Alliance Oversight Committee Member, along with co-chair of the Microgravity Enabling Technology Committee. Jana also served as co-editor of the book entitled, In-Space Manufacturing and Resources: Earth and Planetary Exploration Applications (Wiley, ISBN: 978-3-527-83091-6).