Jan Duursema was the basis for the character Ur-Sema Du. She is the co-creator of multiple fan-favorite characters, such as Denin and Vila from Star Wars (1977) 92, the Twi'lek Jedi Aayla Secura and her Master - Kiffar Jedi Quinlan Vos from the Republic series and Cade Skywalker and Darth Talon from the Legacy series, for which she was also sometimes credited as co-writer.
She is married to artist Tom Mandrake, who was also the inker for her pencils in Star Wars (1977) 92.