Don Johnson Seminar Series

Donald C. Johnson grew up in Black River Falls, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1949 after serving two active years in the U.S. Naval Reserve (1944-46). He then earned his Master’s Degree in Zoology-Cytology in 1951 from Wisconsin, before returning to Active Duty (1951-1952) in the Hospital Corps, where he met Eleanore, his future wife and best friend. In 1956, while working as a Research and Teaching Assistant, Don received his Ph.D. in Zoology-Endocrinology at the University of Iowa, under the mentorship of Dr. Emil Witschi. He remained at Iowa as a Research Assistant Professor until recruited to the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Molecular and Integrative Physiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1963. By 1969, he was promoted to Professor and from 1978 to 1996 he held the Research Professorship in Human Reproduction. At that time his title changed to Professor Emeritus upon his “retirement” and he remained an active colleague until his death in 2004.


1927 - 2004 Donald C. Johnson grew up in Black River Falls, Wisconsin and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1949 after serving two active years in the U.S. Naval Reserve (1944-46). He then earned his Master’s Degree in Zoology-Cytology in 1951 from Wisconsin, before returning to Active Duty (1951-1952) in the Hospital Corps, where he met Eleanore, his future wife and best friend. In 1956, while working as a Research and Teaching Assistant, Don received his Ph.D. in Zoology-Endocrinology at the University of Iowa, under the mentorship of Dr. Emil Witschi. He remained at Iowa as a Research Assistant Professor until recruited to the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Molecular and Integrative Physiology at the University of Kansas Medical Center in 1963. By 1969, he was promoted to Professor and from 1978 to 1996 he held the Research Professorship in Human Reproduction. At that time his title changed to Professor Emeritus upon his “retirement” and he remained an active colleague until his death in 2004.