Katie Johnson

Background

About Katie Johnson

I started out as a busser and hostess at a local pizza place when I was 15 years old. I graduated a valedictorian from my high school of over students in 2011. During my undergraduate education, I worked nearly full time as a waitress and bartender to afford my schooling and living expenses. When I was not working, I spent my free time working with my local Rotaract club on various projects with Habitat for Humanity, Manos Juntas, and Polio Plus. Additionally, I was involved in undergraduate research. I graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Oklahoma in 2015 with a degree in biochemistry.In my time as a graduate student at the University of Kansas, I discovered a passion for teaching. In addition to implementing a successful uranium research program for my advisor, I pursued professional development activites at KU's Center for Teaching Excellence hoping to improve my effectiveness as an instructor. I recently graduated with my Master's degree from the University of Kansas in 2019, where my thesis work focused on capturing and immobilizing lanthanide and actinide ions from solution. These new developments could someday be useful in pursuits relevant to nuclear waste remediation technologies.In August 2019, I will start an assistant professor of chemistry position at Tulsa Community College. I am excited for the opportunity to give back to my community and help my students gain valuable knowledge, skills, and appreciation related to chemistry and it's relevant applications.