As a longstanding neurodiverse educator and children’s book author, Danna strives to help make challenging topics accessible. Before pursuing her publishing dreams, she was Biology Professor and Program Director for Fisher College’s Biology Program, teaching and mentoring disadvantaged and first-in-the-family students from diverse backgrounds.

Her debut STEAM nonfiction picture book, REWRITING THE RULES: How Dr. Kathleen Friel Created New Possibilities for Brain Research and Disability, was released this past September and has already received Bank Street’s Cook Prize Silver Medal, Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Book of the Year Selection for 2026, Best of 2025 by the Chicago Public Library, Best Book of the Year 2025 by School Library Journal, Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12 2026 by the National Science Teachers' Association, is nominated for the RI and Maine children’s Book Awards, is an SCBWI Crystal Kite finalist, and has received other awards listed on her website.

Danna's unannounced Jewish novel-in-verse was recently awarded the PJ Our Way Partial Author’s Incentive Award and is slated for Fall 2027 publication. Her unannounced lyrical STEM picture book is also slated for Fall 2027 publication. She is a 2025-26 PJ Library Sephardic Stories Initiative diversity writing fellow and has won numerous additional awards, including several Highlights scholarships, and many writing contests.

Danna is an active member of Inked Voices, 12x12, and SCBWI, and a regular contributor to the Writers’ Rumpus Blog.