Biography
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.
Research Interests
Health education through lab science, cultural competency, volunteerism impact, study abroad, and instructional technology
Teaching Interests
Study Abroad, Microbiology, Hematology, Clinical Practice Preparedness