Tracy Johnson: A Champion of Science, Education, and Diversity at UCLA

Tracy Johnson stands as a prominent figure at UCLA, recognized for her outstanding achievements in scientific research, educational innovation, and her unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Currently serving as the Dean of Life Sciences in the UCLA College and holding the Keith and Cecilia Terasaki Presidential Endowed Chair, Johnson's career is marked by significant contributions to the scientific community and a dedication to fostering a more inclusive environment for students and faculty alike.

A Distinguished Scientist

Johnson's research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of gene regulation, with a particular emphasis on RNA splicing, chromatin modification, and the interplay between these processes. Her work has earned her national recognition and has positioned her as a leader in the field of molecular biology. Before her appointment at UCLA, Johnson was a faculty member at the University of California, San Diego, from 2003 to 2013. She also held a Jane Coffin Childs postdoctoral research fellowship at the California Institute of Technology, further solidifying her expertise and contributions to the scientific community.

Innovating Science Education

Beyond her research accomplishments, Johnson is deeply committed to improving undergraduate science education. She believes in providing students with authentic research experiences and fostering a sense of discovery. Her approach to education is collaborative, interactive, and evidence-based, with a strong emphasis on problem-solving. Johnson's innovative teaching methods have garnered her several accolades, including the UC San Diego Chancellor's Associates Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching in 2013. In the same year, she was also recognized as one of the Top 20 Women Professors in California.

One example of innovative teaching in Life Science is that Dr. Sagasti completely overhauled his method for teaching Cell Biology to Life Science Majors. He designed a “flipped” course with pre-recorded lectures that students watched before class.

Championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Johnson's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is evident in her various roles and initiatives at UCLA. She previously served as an Associate Dean in the Division of Life Sciences, where she actively promoted inclusive excellence. Johnson also spearheaded the UCLA-HHMI Pathways to Success program, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, to support students from diverse backgrounds in STEM fields.

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Her dedication to creating a more inclusive environment extends beyond UCLA. Johnson's efforts align with the broader goals of organizations like the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), which recognizes scientists who demonstrate a strong commitment to encouraging underrepresented minorities to enter the scientific enterprise and/or to the effective mentorship of those within it.

Professor Correa’s leadership in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts have had a wide impact on the UCLA community. She has served on 13 university committees or programs with major goals of furthering excellence at UCLA and beyond, through increased DEI. Correa has developed research and career lectures for Research Deconstruction courses at Glendale Community College, Santa Monica Community College, and Fresno State University. She serves as DEI Advisor for the MBI, is on the Faculty Advisory Committee for the Chicano Studies Research Center, on Life Sciences Diversity Advisory Committee, and is Chair of her department’s Anti-Racism Taskforce. In her laboratory, Dr. Nationwide, Correa was Chair of the DEI Committee for the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology, from 2019-2021. In this capacity, she organized inclusive mentorship workshops, a town hall on sexism, and designed two scientific symposia that highlighted the work of Black, Latinx and LGBTQ neuroendocrinologists. As a first-generation Latinx Ph.D., Dr. Caldera was committed to “paying it forward” to the next generation. Dr. Caldera has mentored 10 students in The Diversity Project, a UC-HBCU funded program, focused on diversifying graduate students. Of the 10 students he mentored (all Black or Latinx) 7 are currently in graduate school. To provide similar pathways to community college students, Dr. Caldera developed a parallel program at UCLA, called Marine Science Pathways Program, that provides marine research opportunities & supports community college students’ transition to 4-year colleges. He has also participated in UCLA’s Bruins in Genomics Summer program, mentoring diverse students who are interested in research using bioinformatics and big data.

Dr. Roberts has exhibited an exceptional commitment to teaching excellence and to equity, inclusion and justice in STEM; as an IRACDA postdoctoral fellow, a Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL) scholar; and currently as the inaugural CEILS postdoctoral scholar. As a CIRTL scholar, Dr. Roberts secured UC-HBCU grant funding to sponsor HBCU undergraduate students for both year-long mentorship and summer research internships. As a CEILS postdoc, Dr. Roberts has led the Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusivity (JEDI) antiracism program. She has spearheaded a series of workshops on Becoming an Anti-Racist Educator, a collaboration between DGSOM and CEILS, which will now also be offered to the Life and Physical Sciences faculty. As a postdoctoral scholar for the NSF INCLUDES Aspire Alliance Award, Dr. Roberts provides mentorship to the diverse cohort of UCLA Aspire Interns, who are postdoctoral scholars seeking to obtain teaching positions in the area.

As a 5th year Ph.D. student, Del Carpio has made many contributions to improving DEI at UCLA. Tina has also served as a board member of the UCLA SACNAS chapter and has been a speaker and panelist for prospective URM graduate students at events hosted by Graduate Division’s Diversity, Inclusion and Admission office and other departments across the Life Sciences.

Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award

In recognition of her outstanding commitment to encouraging underrepresented minorities in science, Tracy Johnson received the 2022 Ruth Kirschstein Diversity in Science Award from the ASBMB Minority Affairs Committee. This prestigious award highlights Johnson's dedication to creating opportunities and providing mentorship for individuals from diverse backgrounds in the scientific community.

Other Accomplishments

Mautner Memorial Lectures

The Mautner Memorial Lectures also provide insight into Life Sciences’ graduate programs and share their takeaways from distinguished guest lecturer Joe DeRisi’s Mautner Memorial Lectures. Both of DeRisi’s Mautner Lectures, his public and research lectures, were inspiring. It was incredible to see how they leveraged the power of population data to reveal relevant and policy-changing observations about the pandemic.

Scholars & Storytellers Summit

The first Scholars & Storytellers Summit - an invite-only event focused on building interdisciplinary collaborations to break down systemic barriers to true inclusion and equity in adolescent programming - was an incredible success. Key panels included: Storytelling for the Gen Z and Gen Alpha Audience, Who Gets To Tell The Story?, and What Works And What Doesn’t In Diversity Writer Programs? CSS Founder Dr. Yalda T. Uhls spoke at the BRIC 2022 Summit, continuing the conversation from the Scholars & Storytellers Summit 2021 panel What Works and What Doesn’t in Diversity Writer Programs.

UCLA Luskin Conference Center

In celebration of Black History Month this February and in the spirit of visionaries and trailblazers, which is what the UCLA Luskin Conference Center hopes to inspire, here are just a few of the many amazing people who have visited, attended or taught at UCLA, both past and present. Their contributions and accomplishments have made the campus - and the world - a richer, better place.

Life Sciences Excellence Awards

Congratulations to Drs. Oliver Fregoso, Melody Li, and Beth Lazazzera for being nominated for the 2024 Life Sciences Excellence Awards! Excellence in Educational Innovation, Assistant Professor Award: Drs. Oliver Fregoso and Melody Li: “We are grateful for the support of the MIMG department and the wonderful students that made teaching virology so fun and fulfilling.”Excellence in Promoting Diversity & Inclusion, Faculty Award: Dr. Beth Lazazzera: “I am incredibly honored to receive this award for Excellence in Promoting Diversity and Inclusion by the Life Science Division. I look forward to continuing to work to create a more inclusive and equity department.

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