Robert works with Dr. Duke as his lab technician.

ROBERT DAVID JOHNSON

EDUCATION

Graduate work in Biological Sciences at the University of Alabama in Huntsville

• Microbiology and Biotechnology emphasis

Industrial Hygiene Chemistry at the University of North Alabama

B. S. Biology with honors at the University of North Alabama

WORK EXPERIENCE

USDA, Agriculture Research Service, National Center for the Development of Natural Products, University, Mississippi, (1998 to present)

Laboratory Technician. Support research of a plant physiologist whose research is on discovery of natural compounds for use as environmentally benign pest management. Search literature for methods; select proper methods and procedures according to experimental design. Apply established chemical and biochemical methods for measurement and analyses. Modify or improve methods if necessary. Responsible for routine care, maintenance and calibration of lab instruments.

Tennessee Valley Authority, Environmental Research Center, Muscle Shoals, Alabama

Research Chemist, TVA, (1986 to 1997). Microbiological laboratory duties including culture maintenance, media preps, cell counts (microscope, plate counts, frequency dilution techniques, and microtiter wells). Monitored work of other personnel in microbiological laboratory and taught basic micro and aseptic techniques. Monitored and maintained standard laboratory equipment such as autoclaves, chromatography refrigerators, environmental chambers, biohazard hoods, scintillation counter, etc. through maintenance contracts when necessary. Bioremediation of various contaminated soils: experiment and test design and execution in field and laboratory treatability studies. These contaminants included PCBs, PAHs, mineral oils, and various pesticides. Oversaw field demonstration of in situ bioremediation of pesticides. Optimization of fermentation to improve the yield of ethanol from acid-catalyzed lignocellulosic hydrolyzates: experiment and test design and execution in laboratory and pilot plant studies. Responsible for the operation of bioconversion and bioremediation laboratory facilities and the direct supervision of engineering aides, student trainees, and engineering associates. Conducted field-sampling trips to collect soils from contaminated sites for use in treatability studies. Chemical Hygiene Officer for the Biotechnical Research Department. Training included Fundamentals of Ground Water Contamination course and OSHA Laboratory Standard training course.

Engineering Associate, TVA, (1978 to 1986). Performed laboratory chemistry and engineering activities in support of fertilizer research.

Southern Research Institute, Birmingham, Alabama, 1975-1977

Assistant Biologist, Performed laboratory testing of leukemic strains of AKR mice, including necropsies, bioassays, palpations, drug preparations and drug injections. Supervised a rotating weekend research crew of 3 BS degree and nondegree personnel (1.5 years).

Engelhard Mineral and Chemical Corporation, Huntsville, Alabama, 1974-1975

Quality Control Laboratory Technician. Used instruments such as atomic absorption spectrophotometer and Coulter counter. Performed wet chemistry analyses such as viscosity, pH, density and total solids.

PUBLICATIONS IN REFERREED JOURNALS

Robert D. Johnson and Michael H. Eley, "Preliminary Studies on the Processing Sequence for Southern Red Oak and Municipal Solid Waste Using a Hybrid Dilute Acid/Enzymatic Hydrolysis Process for Ethanol Production." Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (1992), 34/35, 651-657.

Mary J. Beck, R. D. Johnson and C. S. Baker, "Ethanol Production from Glucose/Xylose Mixes by Incorporating Microbes in Selected Fermentation Schemes." Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (1990) 24/25m 415-424.

Mary J. Beck, R. D. Johnson and C. S. Baker, "Comparison of Three Commercial Cellulases for Production of Glucose from Acid-Treated Hardwood." Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology (1990) 24/25, 405-414.

PUBLISHED ABSTRACTS AND PRESENTATIONS

Robert D. Johnson and Michael H. Eley, "Preliminary Studies on the Processing Sequence for Southern Red Oak and Municipal Solid Waste Using a Hybrid Dilute Acid/Enzymatic Hydrolysis Process for Ethanol Production", Thirteenth Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals : Program and Abstracts, Paper No. 24, 1991.

Mary J. Beck, R. D. Johnson and C. S. Baker, "Ethanol Production for Glucose/Xylose Mixes by Incorporating Microbes in Selected Fermentation Schemes", Eleventh Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals: Program and Abstracts, Poster No. 67, 1989.

Mary J. Beck, R. D. Johnson and C. S. Baker, "Comparison of Three Commercial Cellulases for Production of Glucose from Acid-Treated Hardwood", Eleventh Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals: Program and Abstracts, Poster No. 66, 1989.

Robert Johnson and M. J. Beck, "Potential for Glucose Through Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Hardwood", The Journal of the Alabama Academy of Science, July, 1987, Vol. 58, No. 3, p. 78.

R. D. Johnson and M. J. Beck, "Use of a Spectrophotometric Method for Determination of Glucose, Mannose and Xylose Content of Biomass", Modern Methods of Analysis of Wood, Annual Plants and Bleach Effluents: A Presymposium Workshop to the Fifth International Symposium on Wood and Pulping Chemistry, May 19-21, 1989, Myrtle Beach, SC, p. 60.

R. D. Johnson and M. J. Beck, "Utilization of the Method for Combined Determinations of Glucose, Mannose and Xylose by Spectrophotometry", Southern Biomass Conference, Auburn, Alabama, July 26-28, 1988, Paper No. 22.

R. C. Strickland, R. D. Johnson, and J. R. Watson, "TVA’s Laboratory Research on the Dilute Acid Hydrolysis of Mixed Hardwoods," Eleventh Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals: Program and Abstracts, Poster No. 41, 1989.

M. J. Beck, R. D. Johnson, and C. S. Baker, "Fermentation Studies on Sugars Recovered from Waste Cellulosics via Acid Hydrolysis," Twelfth Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals: Program and Abstracts, Poster No. 36, 1990.

M. Eley, J. Watson, T. McCaskey, M. J. Beck, and R. D. Johnson, "MSW Volume Reduction, Value Recovery, and Value Addition," Twelfth Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals: Program and Abstracts, Poster No. 92, 1990.

R. Johnson, D. Hardy, C. Baker, and M. J. Beck, "Fermentation Studies on Hydrolyzates Produced from Municipal Solid Wastes and Newsprint," Fourteenth Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals: Program and Abstracts, Poster No. 95, 1992.

R. D. Johnson, M. J. Beck, C. S. Baker, and M. D. Hardy, "Ethanol from Pelletized MSW and Newsprint," Thirteenth Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals: Programs and Abstracts, Poster No. 6, 1991.

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