Lance A. Johnson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Principal Investigator
@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).
Associate Professor
Principal Investigator
@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
Lab Manager
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.
Scientist I
Lab Manager
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.
Gabriela Hernandez, D.V.M
Research Analyst Principal
Colony Manager
Research Analyst Principal
Colony Manager
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.
Steve MacLean
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.
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.
Akhil Pallerla
MD/Ph.D. 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.
MD/Ph.D. 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.
Georgia Nolt
Ph.D. Student
Georgia is originally from Springfield, Illinois and graduated from Cedarville University with a B.S. in Molecular Biology. During her undergraduate studies, she worked with Dr. Heather Kuruvilla studying signaling mechanisms in Tetrahymena and in Dr. Charlotte Peterson’s lab studying sarcopenia and muscle regeneration. After graduating, she started the Integrated Biomedical Science (IBS) program at UK and joined the Johnson lab in 2023. Georgia is interested in neurodegenerative disease research. In her free time, Georgia enjoys being active, spending time outdoors, and cooking.
Ph.D. Student
Georgia is originally from Springfield, Illinois and graduated from Cedarville University with a B.S. in Molecular Biology. During her undergraduate studies, she worked with Dr. Heather Kuruvilla studying signaling mechanisms in Tetrahymena and in Dr. Charlotte Peterson’s lab studying sarcopenia and muscle regeneration. After graduating, she started the Integrated Biomedical Science (IBS) program at UK and joined the Johnson lab in 2023. Georgia is interested in neurodegenerative disease research. In her free time, Georgia enjoys being active, spending time outdoors, and cooking.
Isaiah Stephens
Ph.D. Student
Ph.D. Student
Undergraduate Students
Diksha Satish
Sophomore
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.
Sophomore
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
Sophomore
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.
Sophomore
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.
Ellen Woodward
Sophomore
Ellen is from Lexington, KY. She is an undergraduate at Sewanee: The University of the South majoring in Molecular Biology and Genetics while double minoring in Chemistry and Spanish. She participates in Alzheimer's research at Sewanee which drew her to the Johnson lab. She is excited to learn more about Alzheimer's over the summer in addition to learning new techniques she can bring with her to future research endeavors. After her undergraduate studies, Ellen hopes to attend medical school. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Sophomore
Ellen is from Lexington, KY. She is an undergraduate at Sewanee: The University of the South majoring in Molecular Biology and Genetics while double minoring in Chemistry and Spanish. She participates in Alzheimer's research at Sewanee which drew her to the Johnson lab. She is excited to learn more about Alzheimer's over the summer in addition to learning new techniques she can bring with her to future research endeavors. After her undergraduate studies, Ellen hopes to attend medical school. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Lab Alumni
Kathryn Smith
Laboratory Technician
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Dr. Cassi Friday, Ph.D.
Director of Research Programs
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Gabriella Morillo
Ph.D. Program
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Addie Walsh
Ph.D. Program
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Dr. Holden Williams, Ph.D.
Merck
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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, Ph.D.
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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