Wendy Johnston

Wendy Johnston is a Part-Time Faculty member in the Department of Chemistry at Otterbein University, teaching since 1995. She instructs diverse courses including General Chemistry Laboratories, Genetics, Cell Biology, and Immunology, with a focus on inquiry-based laboratory instruction and science accessibility.

Her educational background includes:

• B.S. in Biology from Duke University (1986)
• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology from Northwestern University (1992)

Dr. Johnston's expertise spans Immunology and Biochemistry, with postdoctoral research on Rheumatoid Arthritis models and anti-inflammatory gene therapy. She champions interdisciplinary science education through courses like SYE: The Face of AIDS, integrating scientific, social, and cultural dimensions of global health crises while emphasizing service-learning and community outreach.

Her awards include:

• Part-Time Faculty Teaching Award (2020) for exceptional student dedication

Dr. Johnston has pioneered curriculum development including Integrative Studies (CSI Otterbein) and SYE courses, creating cross-disciplinary frameworks that expose students to real-world scientific applications through community-engaged pedagogy.