Matthew Johnson

Graduate Student, The Welte Lab

You work in a laboratory.  What are you currently researching? 

My current research in the Welte Lab focuses on understanding how lipids are involved in regulating nuclear histone accumulation during early embryogenesis. 

What was it that originally sparked your interest in biology? 

Biology has been a longstanding interest of mine since I was very young. My decision to make it a career, however, came much later when I was an undergraduate researcher at St. John Fisher College. From my very first day in the lab, I knew a career in biology was meant for me. 

What do you enjoy most about working here at the U of R? 

The U of R is an excellent place to work for multiple reasons, but perhaps the thing I enjoy most is the collaborative environment. Regardless of field of study or department, there is always someone willing to lend a hand, share a reagent, or give feedback, creating both a pleasurable and productive work experience. 

What advice would you give to prospective students looking to study in our department? 

Do it! At no point in my time here have I regretted my decision to join the Department of Biology, not even during qualifying exams! 

How do you unwind when you’re not in the lab? 

I like to unwind by exercising and playing sports. Don’t get me wrong, though, if Netflix went out of business my life would never be the same.