Tracy L. Johnson, Ph.D.

The UCLA COMPASS program is a training program for undergraduates (both continuing students and transfer students) from underrepresented backgrounds who have an interest in stem cell biology. It affords students the opportunity to explore a variety of ways in which their research skills can be applied toward improving human health through career paths in stem cell research and the biosciences. Johnson, as director, is considered a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion at UCLA.  

Johnson’s research focuses on understanding basic mechanisms of eukaryotic gene regulation, particularly pre-messenger RNA processing and chromatin modification. Using a combination of approaches, including molecular genetics, biochemistry and bioinformatics, she has made fundamental discoveries that elucidate the mechanism of RNA processing, particularly RNA splicing. This work has yielded important insights into how RNA processing reactions are coordinated in both time and space with transcription and chromatin modification. In addition to characterizing the details of these reactions, she continues to uncover how RNA processing is regulated in response to changes in the cellular environment.  

Johnson has deployed yeast as a model system in order to leverage its genetic and biochemical tractability, while applying the novel insights gleaned from yeast to other model systems. In light of the strong conservation of these processes across eukaryotic cells, including human cells, this work has important implications for human health and the creation of new therapeutic interventions.

Johnson is a Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor.