Overview
Dr. Johnson is the Charles E. Putman University Professor of Radiology, Professor of Physics, and Biomedical Engineering, and Director of the Duke Center for In Vivo Microscopy (CIVM). The CIVM is an NIH/NIBIB national Biomedical Technology Resource Center with a mission to develop novel technologies for preclinical imaging (basic sciences) and apply the technologies to critical biomedical questions. Dr. Johnson was one of the first researchers to bring Paul Lauterbur's vision of magnetic resonance (MR) microscopy to practice as described in his paper, "Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging at microscopic resolution" (J Magn Reson 68:129-137, 1986). Dr. Johnson is involved in both the engineering physics required to extend the resolution of MR imaging and in a broad range of applications in the basic sciences.
Current Appointments & Affiliations
Charles E. Putman University Distinguished Professor of Radiology
·
2002 - Present
Radiology,
Clinical Science Departments
Professor of Radiology
·
2018 - Present
Radiology,
Clinical Science Departments
Professor in the Department of Physics
·
1993 - Present
Physics,
Trinity College of Arts & Sciences
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
·
2021 - Present
Biomedical Engineering,
Pratt School of Engineering
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute
·
1974 - Present
Duke Cancer Institute,
Institutes and Centers
Recent Publications
Development of anatomically variable digital Wistar rat phantoms for small animal imaging research.
Journal Article Med Phys · August 2025 BACKGROUND: Digital phantoms are valuable tools for evaluating small animal imaging systems. They can help optimize imaging parameters before live studies, supporting efforts to reduce animal use and refine experimental protocols. Wistar rats are widely us ... Full text Link to item CiteConsiderations and recommendations from the ISMRM diffusion study group for preclinical diffusion MRI: Part 2-Ex vivo imaging: Added value and acquisition.
Journal Article Magn Reson Med · June 2025 The value of preclinical diffusion MRI (dMRI) is substantial. While dMRI enables in vivo non-invasive characterization of tissue, ex vivo dMRI is increasingly being used to probe tissue microstructure and brain connectivity. Ex vivo dMRI has several experi ... Full text Link to item CiteConsiderations and recommendations from the ISMRM diffusion study group for preclinical diffusion MRI: Part 1: In vivo small-animal imaging.
Journal Article Magn Reson Med · June 2025 Small-animal diffusion MRI (dMRI) has been used for methodological development and validation, characterizing the biological basis of diffusion phenomena, and comparative anatomy. The steps from animal setup and monitoring, to acquisition, analysis, and in ... Full text Link to item CiteRecent Grants
Dynamic whole brain maps of neuronal degeneration in Huntington's disease using differential connectomics
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by CHDI Foundation · 2024 - 2027Ultra-high Resolution Structural Connectome Atlases of the Animal Brain and their Associated Toolbox
ResearchPrincipal Investigator · Awarded by University of Pittsburgh · 2022 - 2027Duke Testing Site for Stroke Preclinical Assessment Network
ResearchResearch Scientist · Awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke · 2023 - 2025View All Grants
Education, Training & Certifications
Duke University ·
1974
Ph.D.