Jessica Polka

Executive Director at ASAPbio

Jessica Polka is a prominent figure in the field of open science and scientific communication. She served as the Executive Director of ASAPbio (Accelerating Science and Publication in Biology) until February 25, 2024.1 2 In this role, she led initiatives related to peer review and oversaw the organization's general administrative functions.1

Professional Background

Jessica Polka holds a PhD and has a background in biochemistry.7 As the Executive Director of ASAPbio, she led a researcher-driven non-profit organization focused on advancing the use of preprints and open review in the life sciences.2 Her tenure at ASAPbio lasted for over 7 years, during which she worked to promote innovation and transparency in life sciences communications.3 6

Current Position

After her time at ASAPbio, Jessica Polka transitioned to a new role as the Open Science Program Director at the Astera Institute.2 4 This position aligns with her continued commitment to promoting open science practices and improving scientific communication.

Areas of Expertise

Jessica Polka's work primarily focuses on:

Promoting the use of preprints in scientific publishing
Advocating for open review processes in the life sciences
Improving transparency in scientific communications
Addressing efficiency in how scientists share their research results5

Online Presence

Jessica Polka maintains an active online presence:

Her LinkedIn profile can be found under the username "jessicapolka"2
She has a personal website at jessicapolka.com3
She is active on social media platforms, including Twitter (now X) with the handle @jessicapolka8

Throughout her career, Jessica Polka has been a strong advocate for open science practices and has worked to improve the way scientific research is communicated and shared within the scientific community.