Janna Postma unearths new opportunities in Madison and abroad

As a senior in high school, Janna Postma was at a crossroads. Torn between two fields—business and engineering—she wanted a school that had both. Analytical by nature, Postma did her research and found the University of Wisconsin-Madison offered strong programs in both, plus a vibrant arts community where she could continue playing the viola in the All-University String Orchestra.

“UW-Madison provided me with ample resources to explore my interests, and I knew either program I chose would prepare me well for my career.” she says. But after a packed first semester that included chemistry and multivariable calculus, the choice became clear. “I felt that chemical engineering would fulfill my desire for a challenge and offer flexibility upon graduation with broad applications.”

However, she didn’t fall in love with Madison until she visited. Postma was impressed not only by UW-Madison’s dedication to excellence and professionalism, but the campus as well. “I was struck by Madison’s natural beauty. Walking around campus between the two lakes, admiring the intersection of city and nature, I knew Madison was where I was supposed to be.”

Today, Postma is deeply engaged in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, which offers the chemistry-rich, rigorous and wide-ranging education she desired. She also follows opportunities that continue to shape her academic and professional goals, digging into sustainable agricultural research, leadership, and global experiences.

A research question rooted in the real world—and the ground

As a Greek American, Postma was called to the Mediterranean Sea to participate in a summer research program at the Perrotis College in Thessaloniki, Greece. There, she investigated a simple but high-impact question: How can we better measure the amount of boron available to plants in agricultural soils?

While boron is essential for plant growth, the margin between too little and too much is extremely narrow—making accurate soil testing critical for farmers. This is especially true in regions where crops, like olives, are particularly sensitive to boron levels.

Additionally, most of the boron in soil isn’t water soluble and therefore the plants can’t absorb it. “The challenge is figuring out how much boron roots can realistically access—not just how much boron exists overall,” Postma explains.

Lifting/Boosting the status quo

For decades, the benchmark method for measuring plant-available boron has been the Hot Water Extractable (HWE) Boron test. While reliable, it is slow, labor-intensive, and difficult to scale—limitations that matter when testing large numbers of soil samples.

Rather than developing an entirely new method, Postma’s research focused on evaluating existing extraction techniques, specifically DTPA and Mehlich-3 methods, which could serve as more efficient, scalable replacements when paired with Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Using ten different soil samples and multiple replications, Postma compared how closely each method matched the benchmark results. Her findings showed that the DTPA extraction method had the strongest correlation with the benchmark, suggesting it could be a viable alternative—one that requires fewer manual steps and supports large-scale testing.

Although the project was rooted in soil science, Postma quickly recognized how closely it aligned with chemical engineering principles. “At its core, it was systems thinking,” she says. “Comparing methods, understanding variability, and figuring out how to optimize a process—that’s chemical engineering.”

The experience reinforced her interest in research and development and helped her see how engineering concepts extend well beyond a single discipline. It also taught her how to work independently, adapt to new lab environments, and communicate results clearly—skills she continues to build on in her coursework.

A changing global perspective

Postma’s research abroad also shifted how she views engineering on a global scale. Working in a different country, she realized that engineering solutions are often significantly shaped by culture, geography, and local needs.

“Labs function very differently depending on the institution as well as the country. Your usual procedure might need alterations depending on the available resources and research customs, ” she says. “That perspective makes you a more creative and open-minded problem-solver.” 

Her fluency in Greek also allowed her to work efficiently on her research project with her Greek professors. “As a dual US and Greek citizen, I loved working in Greece and enjoyed speaking Greek, which I don’t often have the opportunity to do in Madison,” she says. 

She will continue exploring engineering on a global scale this semester as she studies abroad again in Singapore at Nanyang Technological University, and this summer as an R&D Engineering Intern at Pentair in the water industry.

For students considering research or simply trying to find their place, Postma encourages students to take advantage of the flexibility and breadth of opportunities available at UW–Madison. She also strongly recommends talking to professors, advisors, and industry professionals, all of which she did when deciding to pursue chemical engineering.

“Pursuing your interests and trying new things are the first steps to discovering and achieving your dreams,” she says. “Fulfillment often comes easier when you are passionate about what you do.”

Leading through community and finding balance

While research played a major role in shaping her academic interests, Postma’s experience at UW–Madison extends far beyond the lab. As an Engineering Ambassador, she gives tours to prospective students and helps answer the kinds of questions she once had herself.

“I had to figure a lot out on my own,” she says. “Being an ambassador lets me share information I wish I’d known earlier.” “I hope I can answer some of those intimidating questions for other students and it’s fun to be part of a team of people who are so passionate about their majors.”

She’s also active in a STEM sorority, where she has held multiple leadership positions, including Director of Alumni Relations and Head of the Judicial Board. Working in peer leadership roles has strengthened her communication skills and sense of responsibility. In addition, Postma attended the Society of Women Engineers national conference in New Orleans, where she connected with students and professionals from across the country.

With academics, research, travel, leadership, and work, Postma has had to learn how to balance a full schedule. Part of that prioritization includes non-negotiables: rest and well-being. It’s the kind of mindset she believes every engineer should cultivate and something she knows will support her long after graduation.

Post-graduation, Postma isn’t rushing to finalize any plans. Her curiosity ranges from pharmaceuticals, and traditional chemical engineering roles to research and development, and the possibility of graduate school. But uncertainty doesn’t bother her—it excites her.

Until then, she continues her exploration, showing what can happen when students follow their curiosity and allow unexpected experiences to shape their direction.

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