Lance A. Johnson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Principal Investigator
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
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
Gabriela Hernandez, D.V.M
Research Analyst Principal
Colony Manager
Research Analyst Principal
Colony Manager
Cecily Wood, Ph.D.
Scientist IV
Scientist IV
Jessica Funnell, Ph.D.
Scientist II, Lab Manager
Jessica is from Hopewell Junction, NY and graduated from Binghamton University with her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. She then went on to complete her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. During her graduate degree, Jessica developed novel drug-delivering biomaterials to modulate glial reactivity after traumatic spinal cord injury. Jessica joined the Johnson lab in July 2024 and is interested in glial cell interactions in Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab Jessica enjoys playing disc golf and pickleball, reading, and taking care of her plants.
Scientist II, Lab Manager
Jessica is from Hopewell Junction, NY and graduated from Binghamton University with her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering. She then went on to complete her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. During her graduate degree, Jessica developed novel drug-delivering biomaterials to modulate glial reactivity after traumatic spinal cord injury. Jessica joined the Johnson lab in July 2024 and is interested in glial cell interactions in Alzheimer’s disease. Outside of the lab Jessica enjoys playing disc golf and pickleball, reading, and taking care of her plants.
Postdocs
Colton Lysaker, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Colton grew up in Trempealeau, WI, and earned his B.S. in Biology (Molecular/Genetics emphasis) from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. As an undergraduate in Dr. Mark Levenstein’s lab, he investigated how protein factors influence cardiac fate decisions during cellular differentiation. He then went on to complete his Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the laboratory of Dr. Heather Wilkins at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where his research focused on how lifestyle factors and genetics, particularly APOE, influence liver and brain health in the context of aging and Alzheimer’s disease. He used both animal and induced pluripotent stem cell models to address these questions. As a postdoctoral scholar, Colton is continuing to explore APOE’s role in neurodegeneration using a multi-omics approach. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with family and his dog, as well as hiking, biking, and fishing.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Colton grew up in Trempealeau, WI, and earned his B.S. in Biology (Molecular/Genetics emphasis) from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. As an undergraduate in Dr. Mark Levenstein’s lab, he investigated how protein factors influence cardiac fate decisions during cellular differentiation. He then went on to complete his Ph.D. in Neuroscience in the laboratory of Dr. Heather Wilkins at the University of Kansas Medical Center, where his research focused on how lifestyle factors and genetics, particularly APOE, influence liver and brain health in the context of aging and Alzheimer’s disease. He used both animal and induced pluripotent stem cell models to address these questions. As a postdoctoral scholar, Colton is continuing to explore APOE’s role in neurodegeneration using a multi-omics approach. Outside of the lab, he enjoys spending time with family and his dog, as well as hiking, biking, and fishing.
Graduate Students |
Steve MacLean
Ph.D. Candidate
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. Candidate
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.
Georgia Nolt
Ph.D. Candidate
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. Candidate
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. Candidate
Isaiah Stephens is a fourth-year PhD candidate studying how lipid droplets contribute to Alzheimer’s disease pathology. He earned his B.S. in Biomedical Science (minor in Chemistry) from Morehead State University, where he investigated AP sites and base-excision repair using novel colorimetric assays and developed small-molecule inhibitors. He aims to pursue a career in academia and one day run his own lab, advancing research on lipid droplets and immunometabolism in neurodegenerative diseases.
Ph.D. Candidate
Isaiah Stephens is a fourth-year PhD candidate studying how lipid droplets contribute to Alzheimer’s disease pathology. He earned his B.S. in Biomedical Science (minor in Chemistry) from Morehead State University, where he investigated AP sites and base-excision repair using novel colorimetric assays and developed small-molecule inhibitors. He aims to pursue a career in academia and one day run his own lab, advancing research on lipid droplets and immunometabolism in neurodegenerative diseases.
Akhil Pallerla
M.D./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.
M.D./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.
Chloe Lucido
Ph.D. Student
Chloe grew up in Long Grove, Illinois and received a B.S. in Biology with a focus in genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics, and a minor in Neuroscience from the University of Kentucky. During her undergraduate studies, she researched the role of genetic “ramp” sequences in Alzheimer’s disease using computational methods in Dr. Justin Miller’s lab. Along with this research, she was also a part of the University of Kentucky dance team. After graduating, she started the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) program and joined the Johnson lab in May 2025. In her free time, she likes to read, play with her cats, and spend time with friends and family.
Ph.D. Student
Chloe grew up in Long Grove, Illinois and received a B.S. in Biology with a focus in genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics, and a minor in Neuroscience from the University of Kentucky. During her undergraduate studies, she researched the role of genetic “ramp” sequences in Alzheimer’s disease using computational methods in Dr. Justin Miller’s lab. Along with this research, she was also a part of the University of Kentucky dance team. After graduating, she started the Integrated Biomedical Sciences (IBS) program and joined the Johnson lab in May 2025. In her free time, she likes to read, play with her cats, and spend time with friends and family.
Undergraduate Students
Lily Smith
Lily is from Mt. Washington, Kentucky. She received an A.S. from Jefferson County Technical College and is currently a sophomore at UK. She is majoring in neuroscience, biology, and chemistry and minoring in psychology and music performance. Lily joined the Johnson Lab to gain experience in Alzheimer's research and plans to pursue an MD/PhD. Outside of lab, Lily enjoys playing violin and piano, singing, hiking, and reading.
Lily is from Mt. Washington, Kentucky. She received an A.S. from Jefferson County Technical College and is currently a sophomore at UK. She is majoring in neuroscience, biology, and chemistry and minoring in psychology and music performance. Lily joined the Johnson Lab to gain experience in Alzheimer's research and plans to pursue an MD/PhD. Outside of lab, Lily enjoys playing violin and piano, singing, hiking, and reading.
Omar Hamid
Omar is from Lexington, KY, and is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky majoring in agricultural and medical biotechnology. During high school, he conducted literature reviews about the gut microbiome and its effects on the epithelial barrier and the brain, including its implications in Alzheimer’s disease. Omar joined Dr. Johnson’s lab to gain wet lab experience in physiology research and learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and APOE. After completing his undergraduate degree, Omar plans to pursue a MD/PhD dual degree. Outside of the lab, Omar likes to take walks outside and hang out with friends.
Omar is from Lexington, KY, and is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky majoring in agricultural and medical biotechnology. During high school, he conducted literature reviews about the gut microbiome and its effects on the epithelial barrier and the brain, including its implications in Alzheimer’s disease. Omar joined Dr. Johnson’s lab to gain wet lab experience in physiology research and learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and APOE. After completing his undergraduate degree, Omar plans to pursue a MD/PhD dual degree. Outside of the lab, Omar likes to take walks outside and hang out with friends.
Mahmood Ateyeh
Mahmood is from Frankfort, KY, and is a Freshman majoring in Chemistry at the University of Kentucky. He attended the Gatton Academy in Bowling Green, KY and was able to gain experience studying photodynamic therapy. Mahmood joined the Johnson lab to gain experience with the variety of biochemical techniques used to study APOE. After completing his degree, Mahmood hopes to pursue an M.D.-Ph.D. degree and become a physician scientist. In his free time, Mahmood enjoys playing basketball and gardening.
Mahmood is from Frankfort, KY, and is a Freshman majoring in Chemistry at the University of Kentucky. He attended the Gatton Academy in Bowling Green, KY and was able to gain experience studying photodynamic therapy. Mahmood joined the Johnson lab to gain experience with the variety of biochemical techniques used to study APOE. After completing his degree, Mahmood hopes to pursue an M.D.-Ph.D. degree and become a physician scientist. In his free time, Mahmood enjoys playing basketball and gardening.
Lab Alumni
Chesney Brock
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Diksha Satish
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Lesley Golden, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
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Dahlia Siano
Ph.D. Program
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Nick Devanney, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
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Kathryn Smith
Ph.D. Program
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Gabriella Morillo
Ph.D. Program
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Cassi Friday, Ph.D.
Director of Research Programs
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Addie Walsh
Ph.D. Program
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Holden Williams, Ph.D.
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Brandon Farmer, M.D., Ph.D.
Anesthesiology Resident
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Maggie Piron
D.O./Ph.D. Program
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Jude Kluemper, M.D.
Orthopedist
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DJ Carter, M.D.
Internal Medicine Resident
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Dr. Eden Padayachee
Private Sector
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Rebika Khanal, M.D.
Ophthalmology Resident
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