A Profile of Eugene M. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D.

Pushing back the frontiers of science

For members of the Johnson laboratory, a common occurrence while loading a gel or performing a dissection would be to hear Gene ask, “Are you pushing back the frontiers of science?” Indeed, a weighty question, but throughout his career, Eugene M. Johnson, Jr., Ph.D. has done just that. Internationally recognized for his research on neurotrophic factors and neuronal cell death, Gene has pushed back many scientific frontiers, paving the way for novel therapies in neurological injury and disease.

Originally trained as a pharmacist, receiving his B.Sc. from the University of Maryland in 1966, Gene instead decided to pursue a career in research. Under the mentorship of Dr. Nicolas Zenker, he graduated with a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry also from the University of Maryland in 1970. Later that year, he arrived at Washington University to conduct a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Philip Needleman. In the Needleman laboratory, Gene began studies on the sympathetic nervous system, which would ultimately lead to his work on nerve growth factor (NGF). After three years as an assistant professor at the Medical College of Pennsylvania , Gene returned to Washington University in 1976, where he has remained. He has been a full professor in the department of Molecular Biology and Pharmacology since 1983, and in the department of Neurology since 1994.

Gene has parlayed his early work on NGF into two vast areas of research. First, in studying what happens to neurons in the absence of NGF, the Johnson laboratory has explored many aspects of neuronal cell death, including roles for protein synthesis, Bcl-2 family proteins, and caspases. Second, in collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Jeffrey Milbrandt, the Johnson laboratory discovered three other neurotrophic factors: neurturin, artemin, and persephin. Similar to NGF, these proteins can help support the survival of distinct populations of neurons. Collectively, Gene's body of work has buoyed research directly in the areas of stroke, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease, and indirectly in many other neurodegenerative disorders.

Numerous awards have been bestowed upon Gene during his career. He has received a Decade of the Brain Medal from the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and a MERIT award from the National Institute of Aging (NIA), has been named as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and is listed on the ISI Highly Cited (Neuroscience). At Washington University , Gene has received the Carl and Gerty Cori Faculty Achievement Award, several Distinguished Teaching Service Awards, and a Mentor Award from the Academic Women's Network (AWN). From 1994 until 2005, he served as the Norman J. Stupp Professor of Neurology, a chair he voluntarily relinquished so that it could be used to support a more junior faculty member. He is also an author on over 200 peer-reviewed articles and close to 50 review articles and book chapters; and, he holds four patents.

As a testament to Gene's commitment to the scientific community, his service record is extensive as well. One area of service in which Gene has been extensively involved is the field of Alzheimer's Disease. Locally, Gene has served as the Co-Director of the Washington University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), which under his leadership has excelled as one of the premier ADRCs in the country. His advice is also sought by other Alzheimer programs; he is a member of the Executive Advisory Boards of the ADRCs at the University of Kentucky , the University of Southern California , and Columbia University . Nationally, Gene has served as an Advisor for the Alzheimer Disease Association and for the NIA, which funds the ADRC programs.

In addition to his efforts in Alzheimer's Disease research, Gene contributes to work on a number of other neurological disorders. He was recently appointed as the Chief Scientific Advisor for the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, and he sits on the Scientific Advisory Board for the Ataxia- Telangiectasia Children's Project. At Washington University , Gene is involved with the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders and the Pain Center . In industry, Gene serves on Scientific Advisory Boards for Acorda Therapeutics and Ceregene, Inc. He has also been on the editorial boards of a number of scientific journals, including Neuron , The Journal of Neuroscience, Neurobiology of Aging, and Experimental Neurology . He currently serves as a Section Editor for Neurobiology of Aging and Experimental Neurology .

This listing of Gene's accomplishments, however, cannot possibly convey the depth of his importance to Washington University , to the neuroscience community overall, and to everyone who has gone to him for his wise counsel. Twenty graduate and MSTP students have obtained their doctorates in the Johnson laboratory, and over thirty postdoctoral researchers and fellows have trained there. In addition, Gene has served as a mentor for countless other staff, students, post-docs, and junior faculty members over the years.

Gene and his wife, Sue, enjoy traveling and spending time in the Pacific Northwest . They have two children: Graham (35) and Meredith (30). He was for many years extensively involved in the Boy Scouts of America.