Robert R. Johnson

Robert R. Johnson is a Senior Lecturer and Lab Coordinator in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Pennsylvania. His work combines undergraduate education with computational research on nanoscale and biophysical systems. He develops outreach programs promoting science education in Philadelphia and utilizes high-performance simulations to model molecular-scale phenomena with applications in nanotechnology, microbiology, and medicine.

• PhD in Physics (2009), University of Pennsylvania
• BS in Physics (2004), Pennsylvania State University

Research focuses on computer modeling of nanoscale systems, particularly DNA-carbon nanotube hybrids and graphene-based biosensors. His simulations reveal structural and functional insights into these materials, enabling applications in electronic DNA sequencing, virus detection, and chemical sensing. Recent work explores 2D material transduction mechanisms and ultra-sensitive RNA diagnostics.

Publications span nanoelectronics, biophysics, and computational nanotechnology, with notable contributions to understanding DNA-nanotube interactions and nanopore-based sensing. He is proficient in molecular dynamics and high-performance computing. Collaborations include the A.T. Charlie Johnson Group at UPenn and the Singh Center for Nanotechnology.