Welkin Johnson

Welkin Johnson is a Professor in the Department of Biology at Boston College. His research focuses on retroviruses, particularly the co-evolution of primate lentiviruses (HIV/SIV) with their hosts. He investigates viral adaptation mechanisms, host restriction factors, and evolutionary dynamics using molecular virology and evolutionary genetics approaches. Johnson received his Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences from Tufts University.

Research Interests:

• Retroviral evolution and host adaptation
• Host restriction factors (TRIM5α, APOBEC3)
• Phylogenetic analysis of viral origins
• Viral immune evasion strategies

His work spans multiple viral systems including HIV/SIV, endogenous retroviruses, and ancient viral elements. Notable contributions include studies on TRIM5α's role in viral restriction and the evolutionary consequences of viral-host interactions.

Laboratory Activities:
Dr. Johnson's lab employs high-resolution sequencing, quantum mechanical modeling, and genomic approaches to study viral evolution. The group collaborates on projects involving SIV/HIV pathogenesis, vaccine design, and computational prediction of viral mutations.