For his extensive research on viruses, Scripps Research professor emeritus John Johnson, PhD, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences—one of the highest honors given to scientists. According to the Academy, members are selected “in recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.” 

Johnson, who is also the Eldon R. Strahm Professor of Structural Virology in the Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, earned his doctorate in physical and inorganic chemistry from Iowa State University in 1972. His lab investigates a range of viruses—including those that infect bacteria, insects and plants—and he has published several related studies.

Johnson is also a member of the Board of Scientific Counselors for the National Cancer Institute, as well as the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. In addition, he serves on the editorial boards of several peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of General Virology, the Journal of Molecular Recognition and Virology.

Established by an Act of Congress that was signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln, the National Academy of Sciences has been in existence since 1863. As advisors to the nation, Academy members are required to provide scientific guidance to any US government body “whenever called upon.”  With the election of Johnson, Scripps Research faculty now hold 30 memberships in the National Academies of Sciences, Medicine and Engineering.