Since 14 February 2013, Johanna Wanka is Germany's Federal Minister of Education and Research and a member of the Federal Government of Chancellor Angela Merkel. For nine years, from 2000 until 2009, she held the office of Minister of Science, Research and Culture in Brandenburg, and from 2010 to 2013, she held the same ministerial office in Lower Saxony.

Johanna Wanka worked for many years as a researcher and instructor. From 1994 until 2000, she was rector of the Merseburg University of Applied Sciences, following her 1993 appointment as professor of engineering mathematics. By 1980 she had already completed her doctorate in natural sciences (Dr. rer. nat) with a dissertation entitled "Lösung von Kontakt- und Steuerproblemen mit potential-theoretischen Mittel." Between 1994 and 1998 she was Vice President of Saxony-Anhalt's Rectors' Conference, after which she became a member of the Standing Committee for the Planning and Organization of the German Rectors' Conference (HRK) from 1998 until 2000. Johanna Wanka began her career in 1974 as an academic associate at the Technical University Merseburg following her studies in mathematics at the University of Leipzig between 1970 and 1974. She completed her secondary education in Torgau with an Abitur in 1970.

Johanna Wanka has been socially engaged for many years. In 2004, she became a member of the CDU faction of the Brandenburg Land Parliament and held the office of Chair in this group from 2009 to 2010. From 1990 until 1994, she was a member of the Merseburg Kreistag. In September 2010, she was a founding member of "Neues Forum" in Merseburg. She joined the CDU in March 2001 and held the office of Chair of the CDU Party in Brandenburg between 2009 and 2010.

Johanna Wanka was born on 1 April 1951 in Rosenfeld (Saxony). She is married and has two children.