Janelle Tobias, PhD

Janelle Tobias PhD, was raised in Orange County, California before completing her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry in 2018 from Santa Clara University. In 2024 she received her PhD in Physiology and Pharmacology from Oregon Health & Science University in Portland, Oregon in the Frank lab. Her graduate research focused on synthesizing light-activated probes to study endocannabinoid signaling in pancreatic b-cells and human islets. 

Living with type 1 diabetes for over a decade, Janelle wanted to pursue diabetes research with a therapeutic potential. In 2024, she joined the Parent lab as Postdoctoral scholar in the Diabetes Center. Her research project involves generating human pluripotent stem-cell derived b-cells. As a first-generation Latina, she strives to normalize the presence of diverse researchers in academia.  Away from the bench, her interests include science communication, running, and baking.