Janina holds a BA in Sociology and a certificate in Criminology and the Criminal Justice System from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her research and advocacy center on international carceral reform, institutional human rights, and the dynamics of reentry. Drawing on her Cape Verdean heritage and international experience, she brings a global perspective to analyzing how legislative frameworks and social policies impact justice-involved populations.

A recipient of the W.E.B. Du Bois Outstanding Sociological Achievement Award and a Provost Undergraduate Research Fellow, Janina has a strong background in legislative monitoring and technical translation. She is committed to using mixed-methods research to translate complex sociological data into actionable policy briefs that bridge the gap between high-level discourse and the lived experiences of those within the justice system.

Currently based in Spain, Janina is pursuing an MA in Criminology at the Universidad de Granada, with plans to continue toward a PhD focused on the comparative analysis of international justice systems and institutional reform.