Gene Johnson received his undergraduate degree in Pharmacy and PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from the University of Maryland. His research interests are in the mechanisms of neuronal cell death, neurodegenerative diseases, and the biology and pharmacology of neurotrophic factors. He is the co-discoverer of three members of the GFL family of neurotrophic factors, some of which are under study in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Among Dr. Johnson's awards are the Decade of the Brain Medal from the American Association of Neurosurgeons and the Carl and Gerti Cori Faculty Achievement Award from Washington University. He serves on the Medical and Scientific Council of the Alzheimer's Association and the Advisory Council of the National Institute on Aging. He also serves on several editorial boards and is a Section Editor for Experimental Neurology and Neurobiology of Aging.