Driven by curiosity in physics and discipline from competitive swimming, physics senior Lana Janson has turned her journey at Missouri State University into a milestone moment — she is one of the student speakers at the university’s spring 2026 commencement ceremonies.

Representing the College of Natural and Applied Sciences (CNAS), Janson will speak at the 1 p.m. ceremony on May 8.

“It means a lot to me because graduation brings everyone together to reflect on a shared experience. I hope to represent that in a genuine, relatable way,” she said.

Making Mo State home

Originally from Durbanville, South Africa, Janson began her university studies at another institution as a competitive swimmer. In August 2022, she transferred to Missouri State to pursue physics at a higher level.

The university allowed her to continue competing in swimming while also pursuing her academic goals. The welcoming environment from both her team and the physics faculty and staff helped ease her transition.

“Missouri State gave me that opportunity. It felt like a place where I could grow in more than one way,” she said.

Growth in research

Janson’s interest in physics stems from her enjoyment of solving complex problems and uncovering logical structure step by step. She values this discipline for its emphasis on understanding rather than rote memorization.

Research in the physics, astronomy and materials science department shaped her growth as a physicist. She credits her time in department head Dr. Robert Mayanovic’s lab, where she studied nanoscale drug delivery systems. There, she began by observing and assisting with basic tasks before progressing to synthesizing nanoparticles and later mentoring new students in the lab.

“Over time, I took on more responsibility in the synthesis process, understanding the reasoning behind each step,” Janson said.

An experience she found especially meaningful occurred while presenting her research about functionalizing chitosan nanoparticles at the 2025 CNAS Undergraduate Research Symposium.

During her poster presentation, a conversation with a biology professor gave her a new perspective on her work and helped her recognize its broader impact. This boosted her confidence and motivated her to apply physics in impactful, real-world ways.

Balancing swimming and other activities

As a member of Missouri State Swimming and Diving, Janson has had to balance the demands of collegiate athletics with her academic schedule and other commitments.

“I’ve learned to break things down step by step and stay disciplined,” she said.

One of her favorite memories as a swimmer was winning a Missouri Valley Conference championship with the women’s swim team in 2024.

“I led off the first conference relay of the meet,” she said. “I was so nervous, but the senior girls — the ones we all looked up to — had my back. We not only won that relay; we broke records.”

In addition to swimming, Janson has been involved with the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the African Student Association on campus. All these experiences helped her build a community and feel a strong sense of belonging.

What comes after graduation

After graduating this spring, Janson plans to pursue a master’s degree in bioengineering at the University of Kansas, with a focus on tissue engineering and nanoengineering. She hopes to build on her physics background and apply it to real-world biomedical challenges.

Her academic path has been informed by both research and hands-on work in medical physics and immunology settings. These opportunities have strengthened her interest in applying science to health care.

“I’m really excited to keep building on my studies here in the United States and move toward a career where I can apply what I’ve learned in a meaningful way,” Janson said.

The power of support

As a commencement speaker, Janson emphasizes the importance of shared experiences and support systems in reaching graduation. She sees college not as an individual achievement, but as a collective effort shaped by relationships and community.

“Behind every degree is a story of support, shared challenges and people who helped us along the way,” she said.

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