The University of the District of Columbia welcomes Lewis Johnson as its new chief research officer. An accomplished physicist and research leader, Johnson brings more than two decades of experience in STEM education and academic leadership, with firsthand insight into the needs of faculty and student researchers.
UDC’s research enterprise has grown significantly in recent years, as highlighted by its 2025 designation as a Research College and University by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
“I’m proud to lead UDC’s research strategy and look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place,” Johnson said. “Our work will focus on six strategic priorities: strengthening sponsored research, enhancing faculty support, cultivating a vibrant student research culture, defining UDC’s research brand, elevating graduate education, and upgrading and expanding research infrastructure. I’m excited about the opportunity to grow UDC’s impact across the District and beyond as we continue our advancement toward R2 status.”
Johnson comes to UDC from Florida A&M University, where he served as associate provost for strategic initiatives and a tenured professor of physics. As a principal investigator, Johnson has secured and managed more than $30 million in external research funding from federal agencies including the National Science Foundation, National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Defense and U.S. Department of Agriculture. At FAMU, he led a portfolio of more than $10 million focused on research productivity, institutional performance and student success and co-founded the Center for Plasma Science and Technology, a multidisciplinary facility that has since helped generate more than $40 million in research funding. He also established FAMU’s first Office of Undergraduate Research, which has supported more than 500 students.
“Dr. Johnson joins UDC at an important moment in the evolution of our research enterprise,” President Maurice D. Edington said. “We have made significant strides in expanding UDC’s research capacity and national profile, and we are ready to build on that momentum. Dr. Johnson brings the experience, vision and leadership to create new opportunities for our faculty and students and accelerate our progress toward becoming a stronger public research university.”