Dr. Johnson is the vice president of pre-clinical development (2004 to present) and an executive officer (2007 to present) at Cortex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Johnson has also served as director, clinical research (2000 to 2003; director, biological research (1995 to 2000); and senior scientist (1994 to 1995) at Cortex. From 1989 to 1994, he was an assistant professor in gerontology at the University of Southern California. Prior to that, he held post-doctoral appointments at the California Institute of Technology and University of Southern California. A recipient of numerous federal, state and private research grants and contracts, Dr. Johnson has published more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He received his BS in food science from Oregon State University and his PhD in molecular biology from Purdue University. 

Dr. Johnson’s professional interests generally encompass the molecular pharmacology of neurodegenerative and psychiatric diseases. More specifically he focuses on the pharmacology, toxicology and clinical efficacy of positive AMPA receptor modulators in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders.