Nikki Johnston

Nikki Johnston, PhD, is a Professor in the Departments of Otolaryngology & Communication Sciences and Microbiology & Immunology at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She holds dual appointments reflecting her interdisciplinary research in airway biology and gastrointestinal pathophysiology. Dr. Johnston earned her PhD in Molecular and Cellular Pathology (University of Dundee, 2002) and BS in Anatomical Sciences (University of Dundee, 1999).

Her research focuses on pepsin’s role in extraesophageal reflux diseases, including its effects on laryngeal and esophageal epithelia, carcinogenesis mechanisms, and novel therapeutic development. Key areas include pepsin as a diagnostic biomarker, its involvement in laryngopharyngeal cancers, and translational studies on protease inhibitors like amprenavir.

Dr. Johnston has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to clinical consensus guidelines such as the Dubai Definition for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux. Her work bridges basic science and clinical practice, with recent emphasis on inhalation therapies and middle ear cell models for otitis media.

Notable awards include multiple Broyles-Maloney Awards (2008–2013), the Charles Ferguson Clinical Research Prize (2013), and inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who in Medicine. She actively contributes to professional societies like the American Association for Cancer Research and the American Broncho-Esophagological Association.

Her research lab investigates both diagnostic and therapeutic innovations, including sodium alginate protection mechanisms and aerosolized drug delivery systems. Current projects explore pepsin’s role in epithelial-mesenchymal transition and Barrett’s esophagus progression.