Name: Martha S Johnson PhD
Current Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate
BCBP Lab: Jean Cook lab
Years affiliated with BCBP: 2020-present
What projects are you currently working on:
My work focuses on understanding the sequence of events that occurs when a cell decides to stop actively proliferating and enter a quiescent G0 state. Our goal for this current study is to be able to identify promising early and mid-G0 biomarkers that are exclusive to Quiescence cells. Understanding how cells decide to exit the cell cycle into a dormant but active, reversible, quiescent state will allow us to understand the proliferation-quiescence decision cells make during normal cell progression. Understanding these differences involved in the cell cycle can lead to discoveries in therapeutic and preventative research.
What was your background before coming to BCBP?
My journey is interesting. So, I received my B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry (emphasis in Analytical Chemistry) from THEE Jackson State University in Jackson, MS., and went on to receive my Ph.D.in Biomedical Sciences (with an emphasis in Bioanalytical Chemistry) from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. My graduate school research involved studying embryogenesis and how nanotoxicity can influence abnormalities in development. My background is mostly made up of microscopy and designing assays to explore different organ-specific developmental mechanisms.
What motivates you to do what you do?
What keeps me going and motivated is knowing that the research that I do will one day make some splash of a change in how we recognize this wonderful creation we call the human body. There is so much for us to unearth and understand, that if my research can help us as scientists get one step closer to knowing something we didn’t quite grasp before, I’m all for it.
What have been some of your best experiences with BCBP?
Some of the best experiences I have encountered in Chapel Hill have truly been just meeting the students and staff of this department. Also, having an opportunity to access networking across campus and other universities is so crucial in one’s career. Just having a chance to talk to some of the “BIG FISH” in the field so openly is a highlight, but to know they also are just as eager to learn about your research is always exciting.
Do you have any advice for current or future trainees at BCBP?
Network and have a social life outside of the lab. Don’t just become a lab rat, it will hurt your mental health in the long term. For exciting research to be discovered, one must have a clear mind, and overworking and stressing are never good practices to have a clear mind. Also, enjoy the small wins. Research is tricky, and we as scientists have some bad moments in the lab. Just keep going. And celebrate those small victories, even if they seem insignificant to others.