I started my tertiary education at the UFS in 2002 where I completed a Bachelor in Consumer Science, Bachelor of Science Honours in Home Economics, Master of Science in Home Economics and PhD degrees.
From 2006 until 2009, I worked as Research Assistant in the Department of Consumer Science at the UFS. My main responsibilities were to assist lecturers with preparation and presentation of lectures, as well as tending to research. In 2009, I was appointed as permanent academic staff at the UFS. I have been responsible for presenting various modules which include textiles, interior design, and consumer behaviour. I am also supervising postgraduate students conducting research in die fields of textiles, sustainability, and consumer behaviour. 
I have presented research papers at national and international conferences as well as authored published papers. 

Vermaas, J.F. & Steyn, H.J.H. (2012). Evaluation of physical properties of locally produced Gonometa postica silk and wool fabrics. Journal of Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences 40: 74-82. 

Vermaas, JF & Steyn, HJH. 2012. The influence of Anolyte as an environmentally friendly disinfectant on the strength properties of cotton, polyester/cotton and polyester. International Journal of Home Economics 5(2).  

Jana F Vermaas, Celia J Hugo, Hester JH Steyn & Robert Schall. 2015. The Efficacy Of Anolyte As An Environmentally Friendly Disinfectant On Escherichia Coli And Staphylococcus Aureus Contaminated Cotton, Polyester/Cotton And Polyester. Journal of Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences 43: 26-32

Denner, C & Vermaas JF. 2018. Assessment of Barriers Preventing Recycling Practices among Bars and Eateries in Central South Africa. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment 231:183-192. 

Denner, C & Vermaas JF. 2018. Recycling behaviour and practices among bars and eateries in Bloemfontein. WasteCon Proceedings 2018.  

Conference presentations: National
Presentation at the 9th International SAAFECS Conference: May 2008 
Presentation at 11th International SAAFECS Conference: 27 Feb-1 March, Pretoria. 
Presentation at the 13th International SAAFECS Conference, March 2018, Saint George Hotel and Conference Centre, Pretoria.
Presentation at The Institute of Waste Management of Southern Africa, WasteCon™ Conference, October 2018, Johannesburg.  

Conference presentations: International
Presentation at the 4th International Conference of the African IFHE: September 2009.
Presentation at the IFHE 2012 World Congress in Melbourne, Australia. 16-21 July 2012. 
Presentation at the IFHE pre-Counsel Symposium, London, Canada. 20 July 2014. 
Presentation at Wessex Institute Conference on “Waste Management”, September 2018, Seville, Spain.

Interior design

Textiles

Consumer Behaviour