Lance A. Johnson, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator, Associate Professor
@LJohnsonLab
Lance grew up in Asheville, NC and attended the University of North Carolina for both his undergraduate and graduate studies. He completed his PhD in the prestigious joint laboratory of Excellence Professor Nobuyo Maeda and Nobel Laureate Oliver Smithies. Under their exceptional guidance, Lance studied how the various isoforms of apolipoprotein E (APOE) affected atherosclerotic plaque development. Fascinated by advances in neuroscience and intrigued by the role of ApoE in the brain, Lance secured a position as a NIH-funded Postdoctoral Fellow at Oregon Health & Science University, in beautiful Portland, OR. Under the mentorship of Professor Jacob Raber, he investigated the role of ApoE in metabolism and cognitive function, and explored the mechanisms underlying insulin resistance-associated cerebrovascular dysfunction and recovery. Lance joined the Department of Physiology and Sanders Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky in December 2016. In addition to tinkering around in the lab, Lance loves spending time with his wife and kids, being outdoors, cooking, and playing basketball (poorly).
Principal Investigator, Associate Professor
@LJohnsonLab
Lance grew up in Asheville, NC and attended the University of North Carolina for both his undergraduate and graduate studies. He completed his PhD in the prestigious joint laboratory of Excellence Professor Nobuyo Maeda and Nobel Laureate Oliver Smithies. Under their exceptional guidance, Lance studied how the various isoforms of apolipoprotein E (APOE) affected atherosclerotic plaque development. Fascinated by advances in neuroscience and intrigued by the role of ApoE in the brain, Lance secured a position as a NIH-funded Postdoctoral Fellow at Oregon Health & Science University, in beautiful Portland, OR. Under the mentorship of Professor Jacob Raber, he investigated the role of ApoE in metabolism and cognitive function, and explored the mechanisms underlying insulin resistance-associated cerebrovascular dysfunction and recovery. Lance joined the Department of Physiology and Sanders Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky in December 2016. In addition to tinkering around in the lab, Lance loves spending time with his wife and kids, being outdoors, cooking, and playing basketball (poorly).
Staff
Sangderk Lee, Ph.D.
Data Scientist II
Data Scientist II
Nick L'Italien, M.S.
Scientist I
Originally from the Washington D.C. area, Nick attended Christopher Newport University in coastal Virginia. While working on a B.S. in Biochemistry, he found his passion for Neuroscience through a Psychology minor. His research at CNU included a lipidomic analysis of the 3xTg Alzheimer’s Disease mouse model. After graduating in 2016, he pursued a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and joined Dr. Vincent Venditto’s lab in the UK College of Pharmacy. There, he investigated the role of the adaptive immune system during chronic neuroinflammation and the development of an immunomodulatory nanoparticle. After switching to the Master’s program, Nick joined Dr. Jim Pauly’s lab and, in collaboration with Venditto Lab, found that the upregulation of PCSK9 in a CVD mouse model lead to inflammatory microglia throughout the brain. Graduating at the height of COVID in 2020, Nick joined Solaris Diagnostics in the private healthcare sector. There, he performed RT-qPCR COVID testing alongside leading the immunoassay department in developing and validating clinic assays. He joined Johnson Lab in 2022 and is highly interested in the dual-role lipids and APOE play in Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab, Nick enjoys cooking, video games, volleyball, and time outdoors with his two Huskies, Bowie and Koda.
Scientist I
Originally from the Washington D.C. area, Nick attended Christopher Newport University in coastal Virginia. While working on a B.S. in Biochemistry, he found his passion for Neuroscience through a Psychology minor. His research at CNU included a lipidomic analysis of the 3xTg Alzheimer’s Disease mouse model. After graduating in 2016, he pursued a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences and joined Dr. Vincent Venditto’s lab in the UK College of Pharmacy. There, he investigated the role of the adaptive immune system during chronic neuroinflammation and the development of an immunomodulatory nanoparticle. After switching to the Master’s program, Nick joined Dr. Jim Pauly’s lab and, in collaboration with Venditto Lab, found that the upregulation of PCSK9 in a CVD mouse model lead to inflammatory microglia throughout the brain. Graduating at the height of COVID in 2020, Nick joined Solaris Diagnostics in the private healthcare sector. There, he performed RT-qPCR COVID testing alongside leading the immunoassay department in developing and validating clinic assays. He joined Johnson Lab in 2022 and is highly interested in the dual-role lipids and APOE play in Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab, Nick enjoys cooking, video games, volleyball, and time outdoors with his two Huskies, Bowie and Koda.
Katy Smith
Laboratory Technician
Katy grew up in Chattanooga, TN. She graduated in May 2021 from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Spanish. While her post-baccalaureate plan originally involved a direct path into medicine, she discovered her niche in the areas of neuroscience and physiology. She decided to pursue research in these fields in her gap years prior to applying to graduate programs. Katy is looking forward to gaining research experience and furthering her knowledge of ApoE and its metabolic interactions. Outside of lab, Katy enjoys photography and spending time with friends and family on the lake.
Laboratory Technician
Katy grew up in Chattanooga, TN. She graduated in May 2021 from the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in Neuroscience and a minor in Spanish. While her post-baccalaureate plan originally involved a direct path into medicine, she discovered her niche in the areas of neuroscience and physiology. She decided to pursue research in these fields in her gap years prior to applying to graduate programs. Katy is looking forward to gaining research experience and furthering her knowledge of ApoE and its metabolic interactions. Outside of lab, Katy enjoys photography and spending time with friends and family on the lake.
Graduate Students |
Nick Devanney
Ph.D. Candidate
Nick graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire, where he pursued undergraduate research with Dr. Win Watson (studying circadian rhythms) and an honors thesis in the laboratory of Dr. Charles Walker (studying p53 and mortalin in acute myeloid leukemia). After graduating, Nick spent 3 years as a research assistant with Dr. Basile Tarchini at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME, studying developmental genetics of the sensory hair cells in the inner ear. Nick's project investigates the interplay of APOE’s influence on microglial metabolism with neuroinflammation in AD, a concept known as ‘immunometabolism’. The underlying hypothesis is that altered metabolic preference associated with APOE genotype is driving the detrimental inflammatory response in E4 individuals. Outside of the lab Nick is a musician and a nature enthusiast, spending his free time immersed in Lexington’s local music scene or hiking in nearby Red River Gorge.
Ph.D. Candidate
Nick graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the University of New Hampshire, where he pursued undergraduate research with Dr. Win Watson (studying circadian rhythms) and an honors thesis in the laboratory of Dr. Charles Walker (studying p53 and mortalin in acute myeloid leukemia). After graduating, Nick spent 3 years as a research assistant with Dr. Basile Tarchini at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, ME, studying developmental genetics of the sensory hair cells in the inner ear. Nick's project investigates the interplay of APOE’s influence on microglial metabolism with neuroinflammation in AD, a concept known as ‘immunometabolism’. The underlying hypothesis is that altered metabolic preference associated with APOE genotype is driving the detrimental inflammatory response in E4 individuals. Outside of the lab Nick is a musician and a nature enthusiast, spending his free time immersed in Lexington’s local music scene or hiking in nearby Red River Gorge.
Lesley Golden
Ph.D. Candidate
Lesley grew up in St. Louis, MO and attended Murray State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology. During her undergraduate degree, Lesley studied transcription factors involved in the specification and maturation of pancreatic endocrine cells. She decided to pursue her PhD at the University of Kentucky and joined the lab in March of 2020. Lesley is interested in characterizing a novel mouse model and studying the effects of targeting APOE as a potential therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab Lesley enjoys spending time with her horses, hiking, and snuggling her cats.
Ph.D. Candidate
Lesley grew up in St. Louis, MO and attended Murray State University where she graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology. During her undergraduate degree, Lesley studied transcription factors involved in the specification and maturation of pancreatic endocrine cells. She decided to pursue her PhD at the University of Kentucky and joined the lab in March of 2020. Lesley is interested in characterizing a novel mouse model and studying the effects of targeting APOE as a potential therapeutic for Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab Lesley enjoys spending time with her horses, hiking, and snuggling her cats.
Cassi Friday
Ph.D. Candidate
Cassi Friday is originally from Leavenworth, Indiana and has had a variety of experience within research. While completing her Biology degree from Hanover College, she worked an internship administering vestibular integration therapy to children with sensory processing disorder and another completing a bioassessment of fish in the Ohio River as a Field Station researcher. Realizing her passion was more toward clinical research, she completed her master's degree at UK in biomedical science while studying pediatric obesity and its effects on the heart. Cassi is also a military spouse, a mom to three young wildlings, two dogs, and a cat, and she is a cave enthusiast. In the rare spare time she has, Cassi serves as an advocate for military spouse employment and is a volunteer and research consultant for a non-profit medical foundation. Cassi loves to travel and lift weights.
Ph.D. Candidate
Cassi Friday is originally from Leavenworth, Indiana and has had a variety of experience within research. While completing her Biology degree from Hanover College, she worked an internship administering vestibular integration therapy to children with sensory processing disorder and another completing a bioassessment of fish in the Ohio River as a Field Station researcher. Realizing her passion was more toward clinical research, she completed her master's degree at UK in biomedical science while studying pediatric obesity and its effects on the heart. Cassi is also a military spouse, a mom to three young wildlings, two dogs, and a cat, and she is a cave enthusiast. In the rare spare time she has, Cassi serves as an advocate for military spouse employment and is a volunteer and research consultant for a non-profit medical foundation. Cassi loves to travel and lift weights.
Steve MacLean
Rotating Ph.D. Student
Steve is from Beverly Hills, Michigan. He studied Neuroscience at Central Michigan University and graduated with his B.S. in 2019. After deciding that Michigan was too cold, Steve moved to Kentucky to work in Dr. John Gensel's lab studying spinal cord injury. After 2 years in Dr. Gensel's lab, he started the IBS program and joined Lance Johnson's lab. Steve is interested in Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration. Outside of the lab, Steve likes to play video games and be outside when it is sunny.
Rotating Ph.D. Student
Steve is from Beverly Hills, Michigan. He studied Neuroscience at Central Michigan University and graduated with his B.S. in 2019. After deciding that Michigan was too cold, Steve moved to Kentucky to work in Dr. John Gensel's lab studying spinal cord injury. After 2 years in Dr. Gensel's lab, he started the IBS program and joined Lance Johnson's lab. Steve is interested in Alzheimer's disease and neurodegeneration. Outside of the lab, Steve likes to play video games and be outside when it is sunny.
Gaby Morillo
Visiting Student
Gaby is from Colombia. She is on a 6-month rotation in the Johnson Lab.
Visiting Student
Gaby is from Colombia. She is on a 6-month rotation in the Johnson Lab.
Akhil Pallerla
Graduate Rotating Student
Akhil is from Cincinnati, OH and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in December 2020 with a dual degree in Neuroscience and Economics. He is a rising second year medical student in the MD/PhD program at UK. He got his start in research working in Dr. Ed Dixon’s lab at Pitt studying animal modeling and therapeutic targets in traumatic brain injury. He is interested in some of the parallels between ApoE expression patterns in TBI and Alzheimer’s and will be studying markers of neuroinflammation in microglia during his rotation this summer. Outside of the lab, Akhil enjoys swimming, spending time outdoors, cooking, and traveling.
Graduate Rotating Student
Akhil is from Cincinnati, OH and graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in December 2020 with a dual degree in Neuroscience and Economics. He is a rising second year medical student in the MD/PhD program at UK. He got his start in research working in Dr. Ed Dixon’s lab at Pitt studying animal modeling and therapeutic targets in traumatic brain injury. He is interested in some of the parallels between ApoE expression patterns in TBI and Alzheimer’s and will be studying markers of neuroinflammation in microglia during his rotation this summer. Outside of the lab, Akhil enjoys swimming, spending time outdoors, cooking, and traveling.
Undergraduate Students
Diksha Satish
First-year at UK
Diksha grew up in Frankfort, KY. She is a freshman at the University of Kentucky double majoring in Mathematics and Biology. While in high school, she worked in a microbiology lab where she studied bacteriophage genetics. Additionally, she conducted computational biology research that modeled the process of wound healing in diabetic ulcers. She was interested in the Johnson lab to to gain more experience in physiological research and neuroscience. She is looking forward to learning how APOE affects metabolic processes and neurological functions. Diksha hopes to pursue a career in medicine after completing her degree. Outside of lab, Diksha enjoys baking and spending time with her friends.
First-year at UK
Diksha grew up in Frankfort, KY. She is a freshman at the University of Kentucky double majoring in Mathematics and Biology. While in high school, she worked in a microbiology lab where she studied bacteriophage genetics. Additionally, she conducted computational biology research that modeled the process of wound healing in diabetic ulcers. She was interested in the Johnson lab to to gain more experience in physiological research and neuroscience. She is looking forward to learning how APOE affects metabolic processes and neurological functions. Diksha hopes to pursue a career in medicine after completing her degree. Outside of lab, Diksha enjoys baking and spending time with her friends.
Dahlia Siano
First-year at UK
Dahlia is from Glasgow, KY, and is now an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky pursuing a dual degree in neuroscience and psychology. Alzheimer's is what sparked her interest in neuroscience, and ever since then, she has been fascinated by the enigma that is the human brain. She found Dr. Johnson's lab and was immediately intrigued by the research being done, as she had never considered that a metabolic protein could have such a strong effect on the development of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's. She is excited to have the opportunity to learn more about Alzheimer's in a new light and to participate in research amongst so many amazing people. Alongside neurodegenerative disorders, she is also extremely interested in addiction and mental health disorders, so she hopes that being part of the lab will give her important exposure to the processes and techniques she needs to work in the lab, as well as help her find the path within neuroscience that she wishes to pursue. After her undergraduate, Dahlia plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in research. In her free time, she enjoys hammocking, baking, and drawing.
First-year at UK
Dahlia is from Glasgow, KY, and is now an undergraduate at the University of Kentucky pursuing a dual degree in neuroscience and psychology. Alzheimer's is what sparked her interest in neuroscience, and ever since then, she has been fascinated by the enigma that is the human brain. She found Dr. Johnson's lab and was immediately intrigued by the research being done, as she had never considered that a metabolic protein could have such a strong effect on the development of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's. She is excited to have the opportunity to learn more about Alzheimer's in a new light and to participate in research amongst so many amazing people. Alongside neurodegenerative disorders, she is also extremely interested in addiction and mental health disorders, so she hopes that being part of the lab will give her important exposure to the processes and techniques she needs to work in the lab, as well as help her find the path within neuroscience that she wishes to pursue. After her undergraduate, Dahlia plans to attend graduate school and pursue a career in research. In her free time, she enjoys hammocking, baking, and drawing.
Lab Alumni
Dr. Holden Williams
Private Sector
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Addie Walsh
Ph.D. Program
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Gabriela Hernandez
Retired
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Maggie Piron
D.O./Ph.D. Program
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DJ Carter
Medical School
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Dr. Brandon Farmer
M.D./Ph.D. Program
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Dr. Eden Padayachee
Private Sector
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Jude Kluemper
Medical School
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Rebika Khanal
Medical School
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