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.
Eden Padayachee, PhD
Postdoctoral Fellow Eden is a postdoctoral scholar from South Africa. She completed her PhD at Rhodes University , South Africa in medicinal biochemistry. She then completed a series of postdoctoral fellowships in Sweden and South Africa and has traveled to many continents during her research journey. She has expertise in proteomics and understanding the mechanisms behind the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease. She is deeply interested in merging science with entrepreneurship and is thinking of owning her own start-up/consultancy in neuroscience. In her free time, she enjoys taking walks with her beloved dog and best friend, CJ. 
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). 
Nick Devanney
Graduate Student Nick graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the University of New Hampshire, where he pursued an honors thesis in the laboratory of Dr. Charles Walker studying the interaction of p53 and the mitochondrial Hsp70 mortalin in a model of acute myeloid leukemia. After graduating, Nick spent 3 years as a research assistant with Dr. Basile Tarchini at The Jackson Laboratory in scenic Bar Harbor, ME studying cell polarity proteins and their role in the development of hair cells in the inner ear. Nick is the most recent graduate student addition to the Johnson lab, joining in April 2019. Nick's project seeks to add a microglial-focused twist to the lab's story concerning APOE's effect on brain energy homeostasis. Outside of the lab Nick's life is dominated by music. He is both a musician himself and an addict to strange electronic music, fully immersed in the local music culture. Growing up in proximity to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, Nick has also cultivated a passion for the outdoors and spends most of his free time hiking in nearby Red River Gorge. Nick sorely misses his Maine winters, as he is a big fan of winter activities such as snowshoeing and snowboarding. |
Gabriela Hernandez
Research Analyst
Gabriela is a native of Mexico, where she earned her Degree in Veterinary Medicine from National Autonomous University of Mexico. She has several years of experience in animal handling and care, and is an expert in a variety of experimental techniques. In her free time she enjoys and playing tennis and soccer with her son and friends.
Research Analyst
Gabriela is a native of Mexico, where she earned her Degree in Veterinary Medicine from National Autonomous University of Mexico. She has several years of experience in animal handling and care, and is an expert in a variety of experimental techniques. In her free time she enjoys and playing tennis and soccer with her son and friends.
Jude Kluemper
Laboratory Technician
Jude 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 joined the lab as an undergraduate researcher in January of 2018. At UK he was also involved in Dance Blue and enjoys working with kids. In December 2018 Jude graduated from the University of Kentucky, and as part of his studies in the lab, Jude completed his Honors Research Project titled "Exploring the Role of APOE in Lipid Droplet Formation in the Brain". In January of 2019, Jude joined the lab full-time as a laboratory technician. Outside of the lab, Jude enjoys playing soccer and basketball with his friends, and hiking.
Maggie Piron
Laboratory Technician
Maggie is from Cincinnati, OH and graduated from the University of Kentucky in May of 2019. She is majored in Neuroscience with a minor in Biology, and hopes to pursue a medical degree. Maggie completed one semester of undergraduate research on traumatic brain injury in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging before joining the Johnson lab. Outside of the lab, Maggie worked as an Undergraduate Laboratory Assistant in organic chemistry lab classes, and as a Peer Leader of the organic chemistry workshop class. Maggie joined the lab full-time as a laboratory technician the summer of 2019 and has helped push forward a number of exciting metabolomics-based projects. In her free time she enjoys going to sporting events and concerts with friends.
Laboratory Technician
Maggie is from Cincinnati, OH and graduated from the University of Kentucky in May of 2019. She is majored in Neuroscience with a minor in Biology, and hopes to pursue a medical degree. Maggie completed one semester of undergraduate research on traumatic brain injury in the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging before joining the Johnson lab. Outside of the lab, Maggie worked as an Undergraduate Laboratory Assistant in organic chemistry lab classes, and as a Peer Leader of the organic chemistry workshop class. Maggie joined the lab full-time as a laboratory technician the summer of 2019 and has helped push forward a number of exciting metabolomics-based projects. In her free time she enjoys going to sporting events and concerts with friends.
Addie Walsh
Laboratory Technician
Addie grew up in Burke, VA. She graduated in May 2019 from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Spanish. During undergrad, she was a member of the Cox Evolution and Ecology Lab, and her Distinguished Majors thesis focused on the effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the sexually dimorphic characteristics in the brown anole lizard. She also spent one summer in the Kelly Lab at the NIH Bethesda Campus, where she studied kinetochore mechanisms and centromere proteins. She is looking forward to continuing to gain research experience and further exploring the fields of physiology and neuroscience during gap years before applying to graduate programs. Addie also loves to cheer on the Hoos and is an avid D.C. sports fan.
Laboratory Technician
Addie grew up in Burke, VA. She graduated in May 2019 from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Spanish. During undergrad, she was a member of the Cox Evolution and Ecology Lab, and her Distinguished Majors thesis focused on the effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone on the sexually dimorphic characteristics in the brown anole lizard. She also spent one summer in the Kelly Lab at the NIH Bethesda Campus, where she studied kinetochore mechanisms and centromere proteins. She is looking forward to continuing to gain research experience and further exploring the fields of physiology and neuroscience during gap years before applying to graduate programs. Addie also loves to cheer on the Hoos and is an avid D.C. sports fan.
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 senior 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.
Rachel Mooney
Undergraduate Researcher
Rachel is a Lexington, KY native who joined the lab in the Summer of 2018. She is currently a junior 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.
Anna Wilwerding
Undergraduate Researcher
Anna is from Omaha, NE and is currently a senior 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.
