Katie Johnson

Assistant Professor of Biology
Beloit College

As a physiologist, I use large and small animal models to study glucose metabolism, as it relates to the development of novel human diabetes therapies and changes that occur during stress, in living organisms. My teaching is largely focused on introductory human biology and advanced human physiology and neurobiology. These courses often have a central theme of obesity and diabetes.

There are three main reasons this specific topic and site are of interest: 1)While conducting animal research, experimental design is largely dependent on awareness of similarities and differences between and among species. 2)I strive to provide my students with examples of anatomical structures that demonstrate extreme physiological function in animals to aid in the teaching of difficult physiological concepts. 3) My professional interest in obesity and diabetes provides a platform to evaluate animals as part of the food supply. I am very excited about interdisciplinary collaboration with other scholars.