Janika Viereck studied biotechnology and journalism. During her PhD and Postdoc at the Institute of Molecular and Translations Therapeutic Strategies, Hannover Medical School, Germany (2012 – 2017) she focused on long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs as potential drug as well as diagnostic targets for the treatment and diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. She developed oligonucleotide-based and RNA replacement therapeutics to modulate non-coding RNA function. In 2017 she moved to industry and is the Head of Research and Development at Cardior Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Germany. Cardior is a leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company pioneering the discovery and development of RNA-based therapeutics designed to prevent, repair and reverse diseases of the heart. She is responsible for the preclinical development of ncRNA- and oligonucleotide-based therapeutics.