​Johana completed her doctoral studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focused on evaluating the role of stored β-carotene as a potential substrate for β-carotene 15, 15’-dioxygenase (BCO1) in the adipose tissue as a therapeutic target against obesity and atherosclerosis. In 2022, Johana joined the Reilly lab as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist. Her research focuses on determining the role of smooth muscle-derived cells in plaque stability during atherosclerosis regression.​