Michaela Jansen

Dr. Michaela Jansen is a Professor and Associate Dean for Medical Education and Accreditation at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Medicine. She holds appointments in the Department of Cell Physiology and Molecular Biophysics, serves as Affiliate Faculty in Biotechnology, and is Associate Faculty in Translational Neuroscience and Pharmacology. Dr. Jansen directs the Jansen Laboratory within the Center for Membrane Protein Research.

Dr. Jansen's research focuses on the structure and function of membrane transport proteins, particularly neurotransmitter receptors of the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel superfamily (nAChR, 5HT3, GABA) and the proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). Her work investigates how these proteins function as therapeutic targets for neurological disorders and cancer chemotherapy. She employs a multidisciplinary approach combining molecular biology, biochemistry, chemical biology, biophysics, and pharmacology to study these membrane proteins at a molecular level.

Analysis of Dr. Jansen's recent publications (2019-2024) reveals a consistent focus on serotonin receptors (particularly 5-HT3A), protein chaperones like RIC-3, and the proton-coupled folate transporter. Her research has important implications for understanding neurological disorders and developing cancer therapeutics. The work spans structural biology, molecular pharmacology, and translational applications, demonstrating both fundamental scientific contributions and potential clinical relevance.

Dr. Jansen has received significant research funding, including continuous support from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke from 2007 through 2025, as well as funding from The CH Foundation and South Plains Foundation. She had a News and Views feature published in Nature, highlighting the significance of her contributions to membrane protein research.

Dr. Jansen has mentored numerous graduate students and postdocs, with past trainees securing positions at prestigious institutions including Columbia, Einstein, Vanderbilt, and Yale, as well as in the pharmaceutical industry at companies like Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Sanofi. Current lab members include postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduate researchers working on various aspects of membrane protein structure and function.

The Jansen Laboratory provides a collaborative research environment focused on understanding membrane proteins through cutting-edge techniques. The lab culture emphasizes diversity and inclusion, with a commitment to the strength gained through unity in diversity, reflecting Dr. Jansen's dedication to creating an inclusive research environment.