By Meghan McCarthy
[Farraday Johnson]
A Personal Connection to Alzheimer’s Disease
Johnson grew up in Covington, Tennessee, a small town with a population of approximately nine thousand. Throughout her childhood, both of her parents were devout in attending her basketball games.
“In high school, I noticed things were off when my dad forgot one of my games,” Johnson shared. “One thing about my mom and dad is that they never forgot a game.”
Johnson’s interest in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is deeply personal. Her late grandmother had AD and her father has been diagnosed with late-onset dementia.
Academic Background and Research Experience
A graduate of the University of Memphis, Johnson has a background in biomedical engineering. She was actively involved in leadership roles on campus, serving as vice president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, president of the National Society of Black Engineers, and a member of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. While completing research at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Johnson researched AD in transgenic mice.
“I fell in love with the research because of how it connected and resonated with my background,” Johnson explained.
Involvement in the STAR Program
Last summer, Johnson joined PMC as a participant in the Summer Training in Aging Research (STAR) program.
[Farraday Johnson]
“I looked at biological age and studied the association of it with plasma biomarker concentrations,” Johnson said. “I also looked at the association of it with increased chronological age. At different ages, people can accumulate different biomarkers, and some have higher concentrations than others. This can be influenced by other factors such as environment.”
During the program, Johnson divided her time between research, lectures, and shadowing providers in the clinic. She also learned how to use coding software, such as R, to support her research.
“One thing I will say about the STAR program is that you’re in very capable hands of professionals who will be able to guide you through every step,” Johnson said. “It is an amazing opportunity to be around such wise and experienced individuals.”
Transition to Clinical Research Coordinator
In February, Johnson began her new role as a clinical research coordinator.
“Farraday excelled during her time as a STAR intern and has continued this trajectory since starting her role as an ATM coordinator,” said PMC Project Manager Laura Schankel. “Farraday’s passion for learning has helped her jump into a fast-paced study and she is doing a fantastic job.”
[Farraday Johnson]
At PMC, Johnson hopes to become a trained phlebotomist and looks forward to mastering her role as a clinical research coordinator. Looking ahead, she plans to apply to medical school in this year’s cycle and has hopes to stay close to home.
“Penn is my dream,” Johnson proclaimed, beaming.