Lance A. Johnson, PhD
Principal Investigator
Assistant Professor
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 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
Assistant Professor
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 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).
Ja Brandon, PhD
Research Assistant Professor
Ja grew up in a small town called Market Drayton, nestled deep in the British countryside of North Shropshire, England. After obtaining his BSc (hons) in Biomedical Science from The University of Wolverhampton, he undertook his PhD as part of an international exchange program between the University of Central Lancashire, Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, and the University of Kentucky, Department of Radiation Medicine, where he studied the metabolic pathways involved in overcoming radiation resistance in ovarian adenocarcinoma. After obtaining his PhD, Ja began a post doc in immunology by researching the molecular basis of graft versus host disease and inflammatory bowel disease. He spent a brief time in biopharmaceutical science at UK, working on a project for homeland security concerning anti-terrorism, bio-terrorism and food safety. In 2013 he became an Assistant Professor (Research) in Cardiology working on the role of Autotaxin in atherosclerosis and the development and progression of cardiovascular disease in the laboratory of Dr. Susan Smyth. In July 2017, Ja joined the laboratory of Dr. Lance Johnson in the Department of Physiology and is now involved in exploring the metabolic effects of the E4 isoform of apoE, a major genetic risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Research Assistant Professor
Ja grew up in a small town called Market Drayton, nestled deep in the British countryside of North Shropshire, England. After obtaining his BSc (hons) in Biomedical Science from The University of Wolverhampton, he undertook his PhD as part of an international exchange program between the University of Central Lancashire, Department of Forensic and Investigative Science, and the University of Kentucky, Department of Radiation Medicine, where he studied the metabolic pathways involved in overcoming radiation resistance in ovarian adenocarcinoma. After obtaining his PhD, Ja began a post doc in immunology by researching the molecular basis of graft versus host disease and inflammatory bowel disease. He spent a brief time in biopharmaceutical science at UK, working on a project for homeland security concerning anti-terrorism, bio-terrorism and food safety. In 2013 he became an Assistant Professor (Research) in Cardiology working on the role of Autotaxin in atherosclerosis and the development and progression of cardiovascular disease in the laboratory of Dr. Susan Smyth. In July 2017, Ja joined the laboratory of Dr. Lance Johnson in the Department of Physiology and is now involved in exploring the metabolic effects of the E4 isoform of apoE, a major genetic risk factor for both cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease.
Brandon Farmer
Graduate Student Brandon is from Paris, KY and joined the lab in November 2017. Brandon earned a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry with a Spanish minor at Western Kentucky University where his thesis project titled “Endothelin-1 Promotes Bovine Corneal Endothelial Cell Proliferation Via a MAPK Pathway” earned an honors designation. During college he availed himself of many summer research opportunities, including an internship at the University of Louisville studying the effects of ouabain in renal proximal tubule cells, as well as a clinical/research experience at Vanderbilt University studying glomerulosclerosis regression. Brandon then matriculated into the UK College of Medicine where he completed 2 years of medical school. After crushing his Step 1 boards exam, Brandon is excited to be back in the lab studying the metabolic derangements in the brain caused by ApoE4. In his free time Brandon enjoys attending the horse races at Keeneland, traveling with his wife, and playing pickleball. |
Holden Williams
Graduate Student Holden grew up in Brookville, OH and attended Marshall University, graduating with a B.S. in Biology. During his undergraduate studies Holden participated in research exploring a novel treatment for Parkinson’s Disease which included a biomedical-engineered surgical implant aimed at recruiting and redirecting endogenous neural stem cell migration and proliferation. Holden wished to continue research in neuroscience while in graduate school, and is now interested in how apoE influences cerebral metabolism. Outside of the lab Holden enjoys competitive sports, weightlifting, longboarding and fishing. Holden does not enjoy writing personal excerpts about himself (but I think he did a good job with this one). |
Grant Nation
Laboratory Technician
Grant was born and raised in Owensboro, KY. He attended Centre College as a James Graham Brown Fellow, and graduated in 2016 with a bachelor degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. While studying at Centre he had many summer research experiences that helped broaden his scientific horizons. These included working on the genetic introgression of ciona intestinalis, researching at University of Kentucky on non-small cell lung cancer, and interning at the biotechnology company Kentucky Bioprocessing. Having these experiences led Grant to his interest in inherited disorders and disease risk as well as developing treatments for these conditions. After graduating he worked as a technician in Dr. Joe Abisambra’s laboratory on various projects involving tauopathies. He joined the Johnson lab in July 2018 and is excited to work on the metabolic effect of APOE isoforms, their role in disease, and possibly how this inherited risk can be mitigated.
Laboratory Technician
Grant was born and raised in Owensboro, KY. He attended Centre College as a James Graham Brown Fellow, and graduated in 2016 with a bachelor degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. While studying at Centre he had many summer research experiences that helped broaden his scientific horizons. These included working on the genetic introgression of ciona intestinalis, researching at University of Kentucky on non-small cell lung cancer, and interning at the biotechnology company Kentucky Bioprocessing. Having these experiences led Grant to his interest in inherited disorders and disease risk as well as developing treatments for these conditions. After graduating he worked as a technician in Dr. Joe Abisambra’s laboratory on various projects involving tauopathies. He joined the Johnson lab in July 2018 and is excited to work on the metabolic effect of APOE isoforms, their role in disease, and possibly how this inherited risk can be mitigated.
Rebika Khanal
Undergraduate Researcher
Rebika grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal and moved to Lexington, KY when she was 10 years old. She is currently a junior at the University of Kentucky with majors in Neuroscience and Spanish. She is excited to learn all about the APOE gene and the impact it has on obesity and Alzheimer's disease. Outside of the lab, she is a Resident Advisor as well as being involved in DanceBlue and Wrap Up America.
Jude Kluemper
Undergraduate Researcher
Jude joined the lab in January of 2018. He was born in the small town of Carbondale, Illinois and moved to Lexington when he was 4 years old. He recently graduated from the University of Kentucky with a major in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Jude recently completed his Honors Research Project in the lab titled "Exploring the Role of APOE in Lipid Droplet Formation in the Brain". He has also been involved in Dance Blue and enjoys working with kids. Outside of the lab, Jude enjoys playing intramural soccer and basketball with his friends, and hiking. His work in the lab mainly consists of sectioning human APOE mouse brains and helping to maintain cell cultures. He is also eager to learn more about the effects that APOE has in humans.
Rachel Mooney
Undergraduate Researcher
Rachel is a Lexington, KY native who joined the lab in the Summer of 2018. She is currently a sophomore at the University of Kentucky with a dual degree in Neuroscience and Spanish. Rachel is also the Chair of the "Adopt-A-Family" program with Dance Blue, is involved in Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, and is an Atlantis Project 2018 alumnae. She enjoys playing soccer and swimming, and is excited to contribute to the work in the Johnson lab and learn more about the effects of APOE on metabolism and Alzheimer’s disease.
Maggie Piron
Undergraduate Researcher
Maggie is from Cincinnati, OH and is currently a senior at the University of Kentucky. She is majoring in Neuroscience with a minor in Biology, and hopes to pursue a medical degree. Maggie has completed one semester of undergraduate research on traumatic brain injury in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging. She is very excited to get back into a research lab this year, and hopes to expand her scientific knowledge base and acquire new laboratory skills. Outside of the lab, Maggie works as an Undergraduate Laboratory Assistant in organic chemistry lab classes, and as a Peer Leader of the organic chemistry workshop class. In her free time she enjoys going to sporting events and concerts with friends.
Anna Wilwerding
Undergraduate Researcher
Anna is from Omaha, NE and is currently a junior at the University of Kentucky. She is studying Health, Society, and Populations and Environmental Studies with the hopes of attending medical school. She joined the lab in February 2019. She has participated in research within the sociology department, and is now excited to be exposed to research in a lab environment and to learn more about the APOE gene and its effects on metabolism and Alzhemier's disease. Anna is a member of Alpha Phi Omega, a service organization on campus, and enjoys traveling and being outside.
Lab Alumni
Logan Fields
Laboratory Technician 2017-2018
Laboratory Technician 2017-2018
DJ Carter
Laboratory Technician 2017-2018
Currently in Medical School, University of Kentucky
Laboratory Technician 2017-2018
Currently in Medical School, University of Kentucky