Biography and education
Joanna graduated from the Texas State University Clinical Laboratory Science Program in 2007, and worked as a generalist at Dell Children’s Center of Central Texas. She began teaching in 2010 in the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at Austin Community College. Mrs. Ellis became an Associate Professor at ACC in May of 2011 and completed her Masters of Science in Biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University in August of 2012. In January of 2014, Joanna returned to her alma mater as a Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator in the CLS department at Texas State. She is a mother of two teenage daughters who keep her quite busy.
Joanna was elected Student Forum Chair of TACLS and ASCLS Region VII Student Forum Representative in 2007. She continued her professional involvement by serving as the TACLS New Professional Board Member and then Board Member at Large. She has been the Membership Committee Chair 2007-2010, served on two Convention committees, then served as Chair of TACLS 2013 Weird Science Annual Meeting in Austin. Joanna completed the ASCLS Leadership Academy 2012-2013. She has been active in the 2013 Licensure for Lab Professionals initiative through website creation (texaslabquality.org), petition designer, testifying, and Facebook page creator. She was TACLS Member of the Year in 2015. Joanna was awarded the honor of 2016 ASCLS Voices Under 40 Spotlight Recipient. Joanna currently is a TACLS Past President. Joanna was honored with the 2017 Presidential Award for Excellence in Service.
Joanna was elected Student Forum Chair of TACLS and ASCLS Region VII Student Forum Representative in 2007. She continued her professional involvement by serving as the TACLS New Professional Board Member and then Board Member at Large. She has been the Membership Committee Chair 2007-2010, served on two Convention committees, then served as Chair of TACLS 2013 Weird Science Annual Meeting in Austin. Joanna completed the ASCLS Leadership Academy 2012-2013. She has been active in the 2013 Licensure for Lab Professionals initiative through website creation (texaslabquality.org), petition designer, testifying, and Facebook page creator. She was TACLS Member of the Year in 2015. Joanna was awarded the honor of 2016 ASCLS Voices Under 40 Spotlight Recipient. Joanna currently is a TACLS Past President. Joanna was honored with the 2017 Presidential Award for Excellence in Service.
Teaching Interests
Research Interests
Featured grants
- Ellis, Joanna Howard. International Aid Field Partner Grant Request and Agreement, International Aid: Lab-in-a-Suitcase, Private / Foundation / Corporate, $1700. (Funded: November 2017). Grant.
- Ellis, Joanna R. Study Abroad Grant, Texas State University Study Abroad Office, Texas State University, $3000. (Submitted: September 2017, Funded: November 2017). Grant.
- Ellis, Joanna Howard. Service-Learning Grant, Texas State University, $1000. (Submitted: January 2016, Funded: November 2017). Grant.

Featured scholarly/creative works
- Ellis, J. H. (2023). Cultural Humility: Concept Analysis Scoping Review. American Educational Research Association. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.3102/2014678
- Ellis, J. H. (2023). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs’ guide to cultural humility training. Hawaii International Conference on Education. Retrieved from chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://hiceducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/EDU2023.pdf
- Ellis, J. H. (2023). Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. In Laboratory Manual. Elsevier.
- Ellis, J. R. (2022). Laboratory Manual Writer. In Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. St. Louis, MO, United States: Elsevier. Retrieved from https://www.elsevier.com/books/textbook-of-diagnostic-microbiology/mahon/978-0-323-82997-7
- Baumgartner, L. M., Ellis, J. H., Hollingsworth, K., & Peebles, C. (2021). Learning about COVID: Source, trustworthiness and beliefs (pp. 588–589). Vancouver, BC, Canada: University of British Columbia.
Featured awards
- Award / Honor Recipient: Multicultural Curriculum Transformation and Research Institute, Texas State Center for Diversity and Gender Studies. May 2018 - August 2018
- Award / Honor Recipient: 2017 Presidential Award for Excellence in Service, Texas State University. March 28, 2017 - August 25, 2017
- Award / Honor Recipient: Faculty Excellence Award Outstanding Teaching Clinical Associate Professor, College of Health Professions Texas State University. January 30, 2021 - August 28, 2022
- Award / Honor Recipient: Blue Ribbon Finalist, American Society for Clinical Pathology. September 11, 2020
- Award / Honor Recipient: Grad College Shop Talks Certificate of Completion in Graduate & Career Professional Development,, Texas State University. January 15, 2020 - June 9, 2020

Featured service activities
- Member
EXC2EL Center Advisory Board Member
- Member
College of Health Professions Wellness Committee
- Other
Alpha Eta National Honor Society for the Health Professions: Texas State University Chapter
- Member
College of Health Professions Curriculum Committee
- Member
Alkek Library Representative
- Member
Interprofessional Education Committee