KariAn joined the Petersen Lab as a Research Associate in May 2023.  Throughout her career she has gained experience in several laboratory techniques, been involved in many research studies, and worked with insightful and intelligent scientists.  KariAn spent 5 years as an Adjunct Professor at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, 5 years as a Research Microbiologist at Grain Processing Corporation in Muscatine, and 2 years as a Molecular Scientist at JMI Laboratories in North Liberty before coming to the University of Iowa.

KariAn graduated with her BA from Luther College in 2003 where she studied Biology.  From there she attended the University of Iowa where she studied an oxidative stress signaling pathway in S. cerevisiae and received her Masters of Science degree in 2009.