Resume

• 2017

  Role: Assessment Coordinator for the Department of Biology and Chemistry\nPrimary Responsibilities: \n- Coordinate assessment of program learning outcomes\n- Coordinate core competency assessment\n- Maintain and update the University's assessment database\n- Provide annual assessment reports\n- Work with faculty members to develop and carry out assessment plans\n- Develop and implement action plans\n- Assist the Dean and Chair with Program Reviews\n- Assist the department with syllabi review planning and evaluation

  Liberty University

  Faculty Technology Council

• 2015

  Brigitte

  Townsend

  Liberty University

  Lynchburg

  VA

  Courses taught: Cell Biology Lab

  General Biology Lab

  Human Anatomy and Physiology I and II

  Medical Biochemistry \n\nMy emphasis is guiding students in the laboratory to learn fundamental lab techniques

  practice critical thinking

  and develop scientific writing skills. As a lecturer

  I particularly enjoy teaching aspects of biology and biochemistry as they relate to the human body.

  Assistant Professor

  Liberty University

  Course: Molecular and Cellular Basis of Life\nPrimary Responsibilities: Led multiple discussion groups per week; prepared materials for discussion groups based on class learning objectives; recorded attendance and participation grades; held regular office hours; proctored exams; monitored student discussion boards; attended lectures and weekly organizational meetings.\n

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• 2013

  Served as a group discussion leader for an introductory human nutrition course. Duties included preparing presentations for undergraduate students

  leading class discussions in order to meet weekly learning objectives

  encouraging students to engage in discussion of current topics in human nutrition

  administering and grading quizzes.

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  Served as a group project leader for an advanced nutrition course. Responsibilities included teaching a group of undergraduate students about evidence-based medicine

  assisting students in choosing appropriate topics based on peer-reviewed clinical research articles

  grading oral presentations and providing feedback on their presentations.

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  Biochemistry

  Scientific Writing

  Molecular Biology

  Cell Culture

  Microsoft Office

  Blackboard

  Data Analysis

  Teaching

  Public Speaking

  Research

  Science

  Sulforaphane induces Nrf2 target genes and attenuates inflammatory gene expression in microglia from brain of young adult and aged mice

  Rodney Johnson

  Abstract\n\nIncreased neuroinflammation and oxidative stress resulting from heightened microglial activation are associated with age-related cognitive impairment. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of the bioactive sulforaphane (SFN) on the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway in BV2 microglia and primary microglia

  and to evaluate proinflammatory cytokine expression in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated primary microglia from adult and aged mice. BV2 microglia and primary microglia isolated from young adult and aged mice were treated with SFN and LPS. Changes in Nrf2 activity

  expression of Nrf2 target genes

  and levels of proinflammatory markers were assessed by quantitative PCR and immunoassay. SFN increased Nrf2 DNA-binding activity and upregulated Nrf2 target genes in BV2 microglia

  while reducing LPS-induced interleukin (IL-)1β

  IL-6

  and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). In primary microglia from adult and aged mice

  SFN increased expression of Nrf2 target genes and attenuated IL-1β

  IL-6

  and iNOS induced by LPS. These data indicate that SFN is a potential beneficial supplement that may be useful for reducing microglial mediated neuroinflammation and oxidative stress associated with aging.

  Sulforaphane induces Nrf2 target genes and attenuates inflammatory gene expression in microglia from brain of young adult and aged mice

  Rodney Johnson

  Elizabeth Jeffery

  Yung-Ju Chen

• 2011

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  Advisor: Rodney W. Johnson \nResearch Area: Impact of sulforaphane and dietary broccoli on age-related neuroinflammation\n\n- Evaluated effects of sulforaphane on neuroinflammation in aged mice \n- Investigated effects of sulforaphane on inflammatory markers in primary microglia cultures\n- Performed sickness behavior studies on adult and aged mice following treatment with sulforaphane or dietary broccoli \n- Wrote and maintained IACUC protocols\n- Assisted with management of aging mice colony \n- Mentored and managed undergraduate students \n- Disseminated research through posters and oral presentations

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  PhD

  Nutritional Sciences

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• 2007

  M.S.

  Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences

  The University of Georgia

• 2003

  Virginia Academy of Sciences

  American Society for Nutrition

  Emerging Leaders in Nutrition Science Finalist

  American Society for Nutrition

  Jonathan Baldwin Turner Research Fellowship

  University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  List of Teachers Ranked as Excellent (UIUC

  Teaching Assistant)

  B.S.

  Molecular Biology

  Student Leadership

  Honor's Program

  \nCell Biology Teaching Assistant

  \nResearch Assistant

  Liberty University

• 8

  Abstract\n\nAging is associated with oxidative stress and heightened inflammatory response to infection.\nDietary interventions to reduce these changes are therefore desirable. Broccoli contains\nglucoraphanin

  which is converted to sulforaphane (SFN) by plant myrosinase during cooking\npreparation or digestion. Sulforaphane increases antioxidant enzymes including NAD(P)H\nquinone oxidoreductase and heme oxygenase I and inhibits inflammatory cytokines. We\nhypothesized that dietary broccoli would support an antioxidant response in brain and\nperiphery of aged mice and inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)–induced inflammation and\nsickness. Young adult and aged mice were fed control or 10%broccoli diet for 28 days before an\nintraperitoneal LPS injection. Social interactions were assessed 2

  and 24 hours after LPS

  \nand mRNA was quantified in liver and brain at 24 hours. Dietary broccoli did not ameliorate\nLPS-induced decrease in social interactions in young or aged mice. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β)\nexpression was unaffected by broccoli consumption but was induced by LPS in brain and liver\nof adult and aged mice. In addition

  IL-1β was elevated in brain of aged mice without LPS.\nBroccoli consumption decreased age-elevated cytochromeb-245 β

  an oxidative stressmarker

  \nand reduced glial activation markers in aged mice. Collectively

  these data suggest that 10%\nbroccoli diet provides a modest reduction in age-related oxidative stress and glial reactivity

  \nbut is insufficient to inhibit LPS-induced inflammation. Thus

  it is likely that SFN would need\nto be provided in supplement form to control the inflammatory response to LPS.

  Dietary broccoli mildly improves neuroinflammation in aged mice but does not reduce lipopolysaccharide-induced sickness behavior

  Rodney Johnson

  Abstract\n\nObjectives: Acute peripheral infection is associated with central and peripheral inflammation

  increased oxidative stress

  and adaptive sickness behaviors. Sulforaphane (SFN) activates the transcription factor nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)

  which upregulates antioxidant genes and lowers inflammation. The objectives of this study were to examine the effects of SFN on proinflammatory markers and Nrf2 target genes in hippocampus and liver of mice challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)

  and to evaluate sickness response following the LPS immune challenge.\n\nMethods: Adult Balb/c mice received SFN (50 mg/kg

  i.p.) for 3 days before being injected i.p. with LPS (1 µg) to mimic an acute peripheral infection. Sickness behaviors were measured at baseline and 6 hours after LPS. Expression of proinflammatory mediators and antioxidant genes were analyzed in hippocampus and liver 6 hours after LPS.\n\nResults: SFN elevated Nrf2 target genes and reduced expression of proinflammatory mediators in hippocampus and liver

  but did not improve LPS-induced sickness response.\n\nDiscussion: The nutritional bioactive SFN displays potent anti-inflammatory properties against LPS-induced inflammation in vitro

  but has not been previously assessed in vivo during peripheral infection as a potential treatment for sickness behavior. These data indicate that SFN has anti-inflammatory effects in both brain and periphery

  but that longer exposure to SFN may be necessary to reduce sickness behavior.

  Sulforaphane reduces lipopolysaccharide-induced proinflammatory markers in hippocampus and liver but does not improve sickness behavior

  Role: Cell Lab Coordinator\nPrimary project goals: \n- Prepare annual budget for cell lab expenses \n- Manage lab inventory

  ordering

  and hazardous waste disposal \n- Maintain lab equipment; manage equipment warranties and service calls \n- Recruit and hire new teaching assistants \n- Manage and mentor teaching assistants

  Townsend