At HeartWorks, our mission to develop transformative therapies for children and adults born with congenital heart disease (CHD) is powered by a dedicated team of scientists, clinicians, and innovators. Each month, we highlight one of our team members whose work exemplifies this mission. This month, we’re proud to feature Alexandra Johns, a scientist on our Research & Development (R&D) team who brings both expertise and passion to every project she touches.
From Ontario to HeartWorks: Alexandra’s Journey
Alexandra is originally from Ontario, Canada, where her family still lives, but she feels fortunate to have found a second family in Minnesota through her fiancé, Jake. The two first met in Baltimore while Alexandra was completing her graduate studies. After earning her PhD and defending her dissertation, they relocated to Rochester, where they adopted Cece, a rescue dog who now completes their household.
In her free time, Alexandra finds joy in cooking. While some colleagues might doubt this passion of hers based on her uninspiring weekday lunches, some of her favorite evenings are spent browsing grocery aisles at Trader Joe’s, experimenting with recipes, and trying new ingredients.
Joining HeartWorks: A Scientist with Purpose
Alexandra began her role at HeartWorks in January 2025 as a scientist on the R&D team. Her position places her at the center of efforts to develop autologous cardiac lineage cell therapies for the 1 in 100 affected by CHD.
Her work involves analyzing data from previous experiments to design new studies, focusing especially on improving cardiac differentiation efficiency. This is a critical step in generating quality cardiac lineage cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC). She is also deeply involved in a preclinical project that requires careful, multi-day preparation of cells and specialized media used in HeartWorks’ Heart in the Box model. This is an innovative platform that bridges lab research with real-world clinical applications.
A Day in the Life: Turning Data into Discovery
A typical day for Alexandra begins with cell culture work. She images cell morphology, collects RNA, and prepares samples for flow cytometry (steps that lay the groundwork for understanding how cells behave under different conditions.)
Once this hands-on work is complete, she turns to data analysis. Rather than waiting until an experiment is finished, she prefers to analyze results in real time, updating figures as the research progresses. This approach allows her to see the trajectory of an experiment and make informed decisions about next steps.
Her role also includes frequent deep dives into scientific literature like developmental biology, embryology, molecular pathways, and cardiac physiology. All of which inform the design of future experiments and help HeartWorks push the boundaries of what’s possible in CHD research.
Inspired by Collaboration and Impact
What motivates Alexandra most is the unique energy of the HeartWorks team. Each member shares a deep dedication to the organization’s mission: to find cures for congenital heart defects and change lives.
This sense of alignment and shared purpose is rare, and Alexandra finds it deeply rewarding. Knowing that her contributions are part of a collective effort to improve the lives of children and families affected by CHD makes every challenge worthwhile.
Passion for Scientific Literacy and Public Engagement
Beyond her technical expertise, Alexandra is passionate about scientific literacy and accessibility. She believes scientists have a responsibility to communicate their work clearly so that anyone, regardless of educational background, can understand and engage with it.
In an era where misinformation can spread quickly, especially on social media, she views public-facing science as a duty rather than an option. Her commitment to breaking down complex concepts benefits not only the public at large but also families navigating the challenges of congenital heart disease, empowering them to make informed decisions and feel confident in the research that may one day help their loved ones.
Looking Ahead: Exciting Research on the Horizon
Alexandra is especially enthusiastic about the upcoming experiments designed to improve the efficiency of cardiac differentiation. These studies involve capturing daily images of cells to monitor how their morphology evolves in real time, a process that is both fascinating and essential for fine-tuning interventions.
The ultimate test of success comes on Day 10, when the team checks to see if the cells are beating in synchrony – a clear sign that the intervention has guided them effectively toward a cardiac lineage. For Alexandra, watching the cells beat is a moment of amazement, a heartbeat that reflects not just the success of an experiment, but the hope that the team’s work could one day bring life-changing therapies to children born with CHD.
Living the HeartWorks Mission
Alexandra Johns exemplifies the values at the core of HeartWorks: scientific excellence, collaboration, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of patients and families affected by congenital heart disease. Through her work on the R&D team, her dedication to Heart in the Box research, and her passion for making science accessible, she is helping move our mission forward – one experiment at a time.
