Members
Principal Investigator
Alyssa Johnson, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology
I earned a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Hope College (Holland, MI) and a PhD in Cell
and Developmental Biology from Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN). For my PhD studies,
I used fission yeast to study cell division in the lab of Kathy Gould. I then completed
postdoctoral work in the lab of Grae Davis at UCSF, where I used fruit flies to study
neurodegenerative mechanisms. As a postdoc, I was supported by a postdoctoral fellowship
from the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial fund for medical research and a K99 Pathway to
Independence award from NIH-NINDS. In 2018, I joined the Department of Biological
Sciences at LSU, where I study mechanisms of proteostasis and age-related degenerative
diseases in invertebrate model systems (Drosophila and C. elegans). I also teach Principles of Genetics (BIOL2153).
Research Associates
Olga Dubuisson, Ph.D.
I graduated from medical school in Ekaterinburg, Russia and earned a PhD in Virology from the Russian Academy of Medical Science, Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitis in Moscow. From 1998-2003 I was head of the Department Laboratory Diagnostics of the Regional Center for Epidemic control of Poliomyelitis, which was established by the WHO and served 16 regions in Russian Federation. Before joining the Johnson lab at LSU, I worked for 14 years at Pennington Biomedical Research Center as a Research Associate. Outside of the lab, I like to travel and I really enjoy gardening.
Katie Rose DeLeo, M.S.
I graduated from LSU with a B.S. degree in Biochemistry in 2018. I continued my studies at LSU in the DiMario lab earning a M.S. degree in 2021. My research focused on the expression of the Cajal body protein coilin during nucleolar stress in the fruit fly brain. I was briefly an RA in the DiMario lab where I studied nucleolar stress responses, specifically the JNK pathway, activation of autophagy versus apoptosis, and ribosome source distribution in resilient neuroblast populations. I joined the Johnson and Bohnert lab in January of 2022. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, camping, and traveling.
P. Kerr Wall, PhD; Visiting Assistant Professor
I earned BS degrees in Chemical Engineering and Biology from LSU. After LSU, I worked for a startup company in the music industry as a web and database developer. I earned a PhD in Computational Biology at Penn State University in the lab of Claude dePamphilis developing computational tools for the study of plant comparative genomics and gene family evolution. I have worked in industry for BASF since 2009 in various roles including bioinformatics, data science, knowledge management, and digitalization at both its Research Triangle Park, NC facility in Agricultural Solutions and its largest manufacturing site in Geismar, LA. I joined the Johnson Lab in 2020 and I am currently building bioinformatics pipelines to help identify differentially expressed genes in Drosophila using RNA-seq. I am now continuing my academic journey in developing computation pipelines to study genome regulation in model organisms.
Graduate Students
Cristian Ricaurte
I earned a B.S. in Bacteriology and Clinical Laboratory (Medical lab science) from Universidad Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca, in Bogotá-Colombia. I have worked in a non-profit research institute in my home country. I have been involved in different projects in the regenerative medicine field and in the development of molecular tools to detect viral pathogens. This experience has helped me to gain knowledge in molecular and cellular biology. I will apply this knowledge in my Ph.D. project, in which I want to study the progression of neurodegenerative diseases and longevity. Outside of the lab I like hiking, traveling, and reading.
Jocelyn Wood
My introduction to biology in high school was the start of my journey. After finishing high school in my hometown, Cairo Georgia, I earned a BS in Biology from Valdosta State University. I have always had an interest in cell biology and neuroscience, especially while completing my bachelor’s. My undergraduate research in genetics was an eye-opening experience for me. Ever since beginning my research, I wanted to earn a Ph.D. in biology. Now I am a Ph.D. student in the Johnson lab at Louisiana State University. Outside of the lab, I enjoy creating and selling custom crafts and apparel as well as reading and spending time with loved ones.
Harper Juge
I am a local from Prairieville, LA who graduated from LSU in spring 2024. I have been interested in biology, among other fields of science, since I was young. I find life on Earth, both extant and extinct, to be fascinating and awe inspiring. What started as a curiosity about the organismal diversity that I saw as a child in nature documentaries has expanded into a fervent desire to make meaningful contributions to science. As a graduate student, I hope to assist in creating a better understanding of integral biological and genetic mechanisms and determine how this information may be extrapolated to help people. In my free time, I like to spend time with my family, play video games, and watch anime.
Joshua Gill
My first introduction to research came in high school where I helped perform research about epilepsy in mice at LSUHSC in Shreveport, which made me realize how important research is. During my undergraduate studies at LSU, I became very interested in pursuing research about aging and aging-related diseases, which led me to join the Johnson lab during the last semester of my undergraduate studies. I earned a B.S. in Biochemistry in December 2023, and worked as an RA until I joined the lab as a PhD stduent in Fall 2024. Outside of the lab, I love attending LSU football games, playing golf, and hanging out with my friends.
Undergraduate Students
Samantha Ferrer
I am a junior in Psychology at LSU concentrating in Cognitive Neuroscience, currently on the pre-med track. I am excited to be a member of the Johnson lab and be a contributor to the advances in the genetics field. I look forward to present our research as a MARC scholar at various conferences and to participate in community outreach events. I am passionate about volunteering with the Red Cross and my church, as well as about my job as a Supplemental Instructor at LSU. I love music and singing. In my free time, I like to escape to the world of books.
Millie Hayde
I am a senior majoring in Biological Sciences with plans to pursue medical school after graduation. I joined the Johnson Lab in my junior year and am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to research on aging and lifespan. This past summer, I completed an internship at the North Texas Eye Research Institute at the University of North Texas, where I further developed my research interests in cell biology. On campus, I tutor biology and chemistry and am an active member of HOSA. Outside of the lab, I enjoy spending time with friends, baking, attending themed game nights, and cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.
David Nguyen
I am a junior with a biology major, and currently on the pre-med track. I was previously Dr. Johnson’s SI Leader, which is when I grew deeply interested in Genetics. Outside of school, I thoroughly enjoy working as an ER Tech at Baton Rouge General Hospital, making fun memories with my friends and family, and traveling.
Luis Flores
I am a senior pre-med student majoring in Biological Sciences at LSU. I am particularly interested in how lysosomes influence neurodegenerative diseases, and through my research with fruit fly models I hope to gain deeper insight into disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic approaches as I prepare for medical school. I am the founder and president of LSU HOSA and currently serve as the Louisiana HOSA Collegiate Ambassador. Beyond academics, I volunteer at The Hospice of Baton Rouge and Baton Rouge General, and I serve as a SCI 1001 Peer Mentor. In my free time, I enjoy playing and watching sports, going to the gym, and spending time with friends.
Lab Alumni
Tareah Moore, Undergraduate (2019) | subsequent position: Medical school student at LSU, Shreveport
Rebecca Krueger, Undergraduate (2019) | subsequent position: Research Specialist, Emory Institute for Drug Development, Atlanta, GA
Hannah LeBlanc, Undergraduate (2019) | subsequent position: Medical School Student at LSU, New Orleans
Nathan Pearl, Undergraduate (2020) | subsequent position: Medical School Student at LSU, New Orleans
Hayden Guidry, Undergraduate (2020) | subsequent position: Medical School Student at LSU, New Orleans
Logan Primeaux, Undergraduate (2020) | subsequent position: Medical School Student at AUC School of Medicine
Stephen Lopez, Undergraduate (2020) | subsequent position: Medical school student at LSU, New Orleans
Brennan Mercola, Undergraduate (2019) | subsequent position: Dental School Student at LSU, New Orleans
Tatiana Villalobos, Undergraduate (2019) | subsequent position: Medical assistant
Jordan Wall, Undergraduate (2020) | subsequent position: Graduate student, UT-Southwestern
Josh Broussard, Undergraduate (2020) | subsequent position: Medical School Student at LSU, New Orleans
Eric Eymard, Research associate (2020-21) | subsequent position: Medical school student at LSU, New Orleans
Sanaa Alam, Undergraduate (2020-2022) | subsequent position: Knight-Hennessy Scholar, Stanford School of Medicine
Cara Ramos, Undergraduate (2020-2022) | subsequent position: Medical school student at LSU, New Orleans
Tiffany Dang, Undergraduate (2022-2023) | subsequent position: Medical school student at LSU, New Orleans
Christy Nguyen, Undergraduate (2021-2023) | subsequent position: Medical school student at LSU, New Orleans
Dr. Ankita Basu, Graduate student (2018-2023) | current position: Staff Scientist, Southern Microbiological Services, LLC, Baton Rouge, LA
Smarlensley Altenor, Undergraduate (2021-2023)| currently pursuing medical school
Dr. Pritika Pandey, Graduate student (2020-2025)| current position: Postdoc at UNC-Chapel Hill
Addison Migues, Undergraduate (2024-2025)| currently pursuing medical school
Avery Bourdonnay, Undergraduate (2023-2025)| currently pursuing medical school