Leading the Innovating for Health (i4Health) Institute (formerly the Drug Dynamics Institute), Janet brings together scientists and investigators to develop novel solutions for diseases and health issues. The i4Health Institute efforts include the TherapeUTex preclinical development service core, startup technology development in the UTech Dorm Room wet labs, and health innovation and entrepreneurship mentoring and training.

Janet is known in academic circles for developing cutting-edge ways of engaging and educating students, researchers, and the public to be knowledgeable about their health. Her successful edX MOOC, Take Your Medicine, has enrolled thousands of students, who explore how new drug therapies are developed. Janet has developed a reputation for creating courses and activities that develop students into dynamics thinkers who can bring innovation solutions and strategies to the workforce and been identified as a UT Gamechanger and received recognition as a Top 100 Women in STEM.

A leader in efforts to empower entrepreneurs and women, Janet is a founder of the Leading Women Project. As a longtime mentor, Janet has coached women of all ages, helping them find and define themselves and their inner leader through talks and other activities. She recently completed her first book, Take the Lead, an interactive guide for developing self-leadership skills as girls transition into adulthood.

Janet’s passion for health, education, and women is reflected in local and global efforts including numerous nonprofits, innovation initiatives, and women-focused travels. At The University of Texas, she has served as a Health Communications Affiliate, a Texas Venture Lab Health Fellow, and a member of the Cockrell School of Engineering’s Innovation Center Leadership. Janet is an OpEd Project Public Voices Fellow and Vice Chair of the Ann Richards School Foundation Board. Most recently, she has served on the Board of Directors for the A the Health Promotion Council, and Harvard Kennedy School Women’s Leadership Board.

Dr. Nishi Viswanathan is a medical doctor turned cancer researcher turned business leader. She is currently the Head of Commercialization & Business Development at Innovation Lab, a health technology company that partners with member-owner health systems to develop and launch medical device and digital health products. She serves as an advisor to multiple medtech & healthtech startups and a venture fund. Nishi also teaches health innovation & entrepreneurship at the University of Texas at Austin where she is an adjunct faculty member. Nishi's career has spanned many job functions along the product life cycle including ideation, design, venture creation, product development, regulatory strategy, launch, business development and marketing. Prior to joining Innovation Lab, Nishi was the Director of Translational Programs/Health Product Innovation at Dell Medical School, Univ. of Texas at Austin. She founded and ran Texas Health Catalyst, the medical school's flagship innovation program and managed several key industry partnerships. Nishi also served as the director of marketing and business development at a nanotechnology startup that developed theranostic solutions for cancer imaging and drug delivery. In addition to her medical degree, she holds a master’s degree from the College of Natural Sciences at UT Austin and an MBA from the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin.