News Releases
8/3/07
LAWRENCE — Every day, the results of University of Kansas alumnus Irving Johnson’s research make life better for millions of diabetics.
A leading scientist in the pharmaceutical industry for 35 years, Johnson is known for his research that led to the genetic engineering and commercial production of human insulin.
Johnson, who earned his doctorate in zoology from KU in 1953, is still promoting research. In 2004, he established the Irving Johnson Professorship in Molecular Biology with a $507,000 gift to KU through KU Endowment. And now he’s added $500,000 more to that fund.
Johnson’s contributions are generous and important, said Kathy Suprenant, chair of the Department of Molecular Biosciences.
“It’s remarkable that he’s enhanced the already attractive gift.” Suprenant said. “This is going to help us in recruiting a top-flight molecular biologist.”
Johnson’s gift includes the professorship as well as scholarship funds for a graduate student or postdoctoral researcher who will assist the professor.
“I wanted to endow a chair of molecular biosciences so that other students in Kansas could have the courses that they need to be able to do biomedical research,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s career has reached impressive high points. He collaborated with Jonas Salk on several projects, including the polio vaccine. He discovered a new class of cancer-fighting drugs for treating childhood leukemia, and he supervised the development of the antidepressant Prozac. In 1984, Johnson received the first Congressional Award for Science and Technology. And in 2005, KU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences honored Johnson with the Alumni Distinguished Achievement Award.
The 82-year-old Johnson, who lives with his wife, Alwyn, in Stonington, Maine, spent much of his childhood living in various Kansas towns as his father, a highway engineer, moved around the state on road projects. A World War II veteran, Johnson earned his bachelor’s degree at Washburn University before enrolling in graduate school at KU.
Johnson said biomedical research — and the funding for it — are critical to improving health care for everyone.
“I think there are hardly any limits to what can be done in biomedical research anymore,” Johnson said. “I hope that my endowed chair and the graduate student and postdoctoral support I’ve given will be helpful in achieving those goals.”
The gift will be managed by KU Endowment, an independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management organization for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.
Return to News Releases