Jana Ponce

Jana Ponce, PhD, RD, LMNT is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Doctor of Nutrition and Dietetics Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). She holds a dual role as an instructor in the Master of Medical Nutrition program. Her academic background includes a dietetic internship at Mayo Clinic Rochester (2012), followed by an MS (2017) and PhD (2021) from UNMC.

Dr. Ponce's research focuses on the intersection of malnutrition, nutrition interventions, and clinical outcomes in disease states. Her work particularly emphasizes inflammation resolution mechanisms, maternal/infant nutrition, neurodegenerative disorders, and post-acute SARS-CoV-2 sequelae. Key areas of investigation include specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), dietary inflammatory indices, and the role of micronutrients in neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

Her publications consistently address translational research questions with clinical relevance, such as optimizing parenteral nutrition protocols, evaluating telemedicine efficacy for weight management, and identifying nutritional biomarkers associated with disease progression. She has contributed to understanding how nutritional status impacts outcomes in oncology, critical care, and obstetrics.

Dr. Ponce’s professional credentials include certification as a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Licensed Medical Nutrition Therapist in Nebraska. She is actively involved in advancing evidence-based practices through interdisciplinary collaboration across UNMC’s College of Allied Health Professions.