Aaron J. Johnson

Aaron J. Johnson, Ph.D., is a Professor of Immunology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. He holds a primary appointment in the Department of Immunology, with joint appointments in the Department of Neurology and the Department of Molecular Medicine. His research is centered on neuroimmunology, particularly the mechanisms by which CD8+ T cells and perforin contribute to blood-brain barrier disruption, brain atrophy, and glioblastoma immunotherapy.

• Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic
• Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic
• Department of Molecular Medicine, Mayo Clinic

Education:

• Ph.D. in Biomedical Science (Immunology), Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neurology, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• Senior Fellow, Department of Immunology, University of Washington and Howard Hughes Medical Institute
• B.S. in Biology, University of Minnesota

Dr. Johnson’s research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms of immune-mediated blood-brain barrier disruption using mouse models of cerebral malaria, viral encephalitis, and neurodegenerative diseases. He investigates how neuroinflammation contributes to brain atrophy in conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Additionally, his lab explores novel virus-based immunotherapies for glioblastoma multiforme. His research is supported by multiple NIH grants, including ongoing projects funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).

His recent publications reveal key insights into CD8+ T cell trafficking and antigen recognition at the blood-brain barrier, TREM2-mediated immune responses in gliomas, and calcium signaling in microglia during epileptogenesis. These works reflect a strong trend in neuroimmunology, bridging innate and adaptive immunity in neurological disease contexts.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Permanent Member, Brain Injury and Neurovascular Pathologies Study Section, NINDS (2015–present)
• Member, Special Emphasis Panel, Clinical Neuroimmunology and Brain Tumors, NIH (2012–present)
• Ad hoc Reviewer, Gene and Drug Delivery Systems Study Section, NIH (2014–2015)
• Member, Special Emphasis Panel, NeuroAIDS and End-Organ Diseases, NIH (2013)
• NIH Reviewer, American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2010)

Dr. Johnson has served as Principal Investigator on eight research grants, primarily from NINDS, totaling over a decade of continuous funding. His work has led to over 100 peer-reviewed publications. He mentors a research team and collaborates extensively within Mayo Clinic’s research centers, including the Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology. His lab is involved in developing novel immunotherapies and understanding fundamental neuroimmune mechanisms.

Research Centers and Labs:

• Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center — Research Center for Regenerative Biotherapeutics
• Immunology Research
• Molecular Medicine Research
• Center for Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology
• David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapeutics Program