Scott Johnstone

Scott Johnstone, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion (VTC), the Department of Biological Sciences (College of Science), and the Department of Surgery (Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine). His research focuses on understanding vascular disease mechanisms, particularly how healthy blood vessels are altered in conditions like atherosclerosis and restenosis. Key areas include cell signaling pathways, pannexin channels, and connexin proteins in inflammation and proliferation.

Education includes a Ph.D. and BSc from Glasgow Caledonian University, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice from the University of Glasgow. Previous roles include postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Virginia and Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre.

Research interests span inflammation in vascular disease, proliferation pathways in stent-induced blockages, and developing peptide inhibitors targeting connexin interactions. He also explores pannexin channels' roles in blood pressure regulation and their implications for conditions like hypertension and obesity-related vascular dysfunction.

Key publications include works on pannexin 1's role in inflammation, renin secretion regulation, and endothelial dysfunction in COVID-19. Awards include the 2009 University of Virginia Outstanding Post-Doc Award and the 2004 Institute of Biomedical Science President's Prize.

Led the Johnstone Lab, which collaborates on translational projects, including NIH-funded studies on obesity-heart disease links and novel therapies for vascular diseases. Lab members include postdoctoral associates and medical students like Meghan Sedovy and Adam Hoch. Active in professional activities like co-chairing international gap junction conferences and serving on advisory boards.