Michael A. Johnson

Michael A. Johnson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Kansas, where he has been developing and applying bioanalytical techniques to study neuronal communication and neurological disorders. His research integrates fluorescence microscopy, fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, and microfluidics to analyze neurotransmitter dynamics.

• Education: B.S. from the United States Air Force Academy (1988), M.S. from the University of Colorado (2000), Ph.D. from the University of Virginia (2002), and Hereditary Disease Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2005).

Research Interests:
Johnson’s group focuses on:

• Huntington’s Disease: Investigating dopamine depletion in animal models using in vivo and ex vivo electrochemical methods.
• Chemobrain: Studying cognitive decline post-chemotherapy through dopamine release/uptake impairments in Wistar rats.
• Oxidative Stress: Exploring its impact on neuronal function via electrochemical and microscopy techniques.
• Caged Compound Photolysis: Combining light-activated molecules with voltammetry to resolve neurotransmitter interactions.
• Microfluidic Devices: Developing tools for studying neurotransmitter release from brain slices.

Scientific Awards: Recognized with the ACS Editor’s Choice Award and journal cover feature in 2016. His work has been highlighted in Science Daily, Medical News Today, and other outlets.

Advising and Collaborations:
He currently mentors PhD candidates and students, including Piyanka Hettiarachchi, Ashley Litton, and Jacob Theismann. Collaborations with Prof. Rich Givens (KU Chemistry) and contributions to major publications underscore his interdisciplinary impact.