Sean Johnson

College of Science

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Sean Johnson, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, has shown a strong commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers since the establishment of his laboratory at USU in 2006. He has supervised a total of 17 undergraduate students to date, an impressive number in view of his somewhat brief career. Johnson’s approach toward involving undergraduates in research focuses on getting them involved early in their college career, talking with each student researcher on almost a daily basis, and encouraging them to describe their results and the impact of their research in professional presentations. His undergraduate research students have been the recipients of numerous research grants from both USU and external funding sources, including the American Heart Association. Johnson himself is the recipient of an NSF CAREER award, the most prestigious grant available for junior faculty from the National Science Foundation. This grant, and corresponding REU supplements, provides financial support for his undergraduate researchers. Johnson’s students describe him as having excitement for research that is contagious. They also note that his laboratory is a place where creativity and independence are greatly encouraged.