Calvin M. Johnson, DVM, PhD, DACVP

Education

PhD, North Carolina State University, Pathology and Biotechnology, 1992
DVM, Auburn University, 1986

Biography

Dr. Calvin M. Johnson is Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, where he advances the college’s academic mission in instruction, research, outreach, and professional service. Dr. Johnson is a 1986 graduate (DVM) of Auburn University and in 1992 earned the PhD in pathology and biotechnology from North Carolina State University. He achieved board certification in anatomic pathology by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) in 1993. Dr. Johnson served on the faculty of the University of Florida for 11 years before moving to Auburn. He served for six years as department head of Pathobiology and one year as acting dean before being named dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn in 2013. Under Dr. Johnson’s leadership, the College of Veterinary Medicine educates 520 veterinary students and 105 graduate students in biomedical sciences, and supports the professional activities of 145 faculty members. In 2014, he was selected as a Distinguished Scholar and Fellow in the National Academies of Practice and as the Distinguished Alumnus from the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University.

Dr. Johnson was elected by the deans of 53 accredited veterinary medical colleges located worldwide to serve as President of the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and Chair of its Board of Directors from 2019 to 2020.

Research Interests

Dr. Johnson’s research focuses on the pathology of infectious diseases, including feline immunodeficiency virus, heartworm disease, SARS CoV-2, and other emerging diseases. As dean, he supported the success of the Detection Canine Science, Innovation, Technology & Education (DCSITE) program, which in 2022 earned the largest research contract ever awarded to Auburn University—$24 million for 5 years. In the domain of One Health, he supported the Scott-Ritchey Research Center in developing the first effective gene therapy protocol for GM1 gangliosidosis. First developed in cats, this therapy has entered human clinical trials in collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital and the NIH. To date, 11 children have benefitted from this treatment.

Publications and Links

Barua, S., Newbolt, C.H., Ditchkoff, S.S., Johnson, C.M., Zohdy, S., Smith, R., and Wang, C.  Absence of SARS-CoV-2 in captive white-tailed deer from the state of Alabama, USA.  Emerg Microbes Infect.  11(1): 1707-1710.  2022

Barua S., Bai J., Kelly P.J., Hanzlicek G., Noll L., Johnson C.M., Yin J.H., Wang C. Identification of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant C22995A using a high-resolution melting curve RT-FRET-PCR. Emerg Microbes Infect. 11(1):14-17. 2022

Barua S., Hoque M., Kelly P.J., Bai J., Hanzlicek G., Noll L., Walz H., Johnson C.M., Kyriakis C., Wang C. High-resolution melting curve FRET-PCR rapidly identifies SARS-CoV-2 mutations. J Med Virol. 93(9):5588-5593, 2021

Dillon, A.R., Blagburn, B.L., Tillson D.M., Brawner W., Welles, E., Johnson, C.M., Cattley, R.C., Rynders, P., and Barney, S.  Heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) induced by immature adult Dirofilaria immitis in cats.  Parasites and Vectors 10 (Suppl 2): 514 209-224, 2017

Dillon, AR, Blagburn, BL, Tillson DM, Brawner W, Welles, E, Johnson, C.M., Cattley, RC, Rynders, P, and Barney, S.  The progression of heartworm associated respiratory disease (HARD) in SPF cats 18 months after Dirofilaria immitis infection.  Parasites and Vectors 10 (Suppl 2): 533 225-235, 2017

Winter, RL, Dillon, A.R., Cattley, R.C., Blagburn, B.L., Tillson, D.M., Johnson, C.M., Brawner, W.R., Welles, E.G., and Barney, S.  Effect of heartworm disease and heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) on the right ventricle of cats.  Parasites and Vectors 10 (Suppl 2): 533 201-207, 2017

Dingman, P., Levy, J.K., Kramer, L.J., Johnson, C.M., Lappin, M.R., Greiner, E.C., Courtney, C.H., Tucker, S.J., Morchon, R. (2010) Association of Wolbachia with heartworm disease in cats and dogs, Veterinary Parasitology, 170 (1-2), 50-60

Shaheen B.W., Wang C., Oyarzobel, O., Johnson C.M., Kaltenboeck B., Boothe D.M. (2010) Evaluation of the contribution of gyrA mutation and efflux pumps to fluoroquinolone and multidrug resistance in canine and feline pathogenic Escherichia coli isolates, Am J Vet Res, 72 (1), 25-32

Pohlman, L.M., Higginbotham, M.L., Welles, E.G., and Johnson, C.M. Immunophenotypic and histologic classification of 50 cases of feline gastrointestinal lymphoma.  Veterinary Pathology, 46: 259-268, 2009

Drake, D.A., Carreno, A.D., Blagburn, B.L., Little, S.E., West, M.D., Hendrix, C.M., and Johnson, C.M.  Proliferative sparganosis in a dog.  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 233 (11): 1756-60, 2008

Carreno, A.D., Mergia, A., Novak, J., Gengozian, N., and Johnson, C.M.  Loss of naive (CD45RA+) CD4+ lymphocytes during pediatric infection with feline immunodeficiency virus.  Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 121: 161-168, 2008

Novak, J.M., Crawford, P.C., Kolenda-Roberts, H.M., Johnson, C.M., and Mergia, A. Viral gene expression and provirus load of Orf-A defective FIV in lymphoid tissues and lymphocyte subpopulations of neonatal cats during acute and chronic infections.  Virus Research, 130 (1-2): 110-120, 2007.

Blagburn, B.L., Dillon, A.R., Tillson, D.M., Brawner, W.R., Welles, E., Johnson, C.M., Spencer, J.A., Kaltenboeck, B., Boothe, D.M., and Rynders, P.  Feline Heartworm Disease: A New Perspective.  Insights in Veterinary Medicine, 5:3 1-5, 2007

Kolenda-Roberts, HM, Kuhnt, LA, Jennings, RN, Mergia, A, Gengozian, N, and Johnson, C.M. Immunopathogenesis of feline immunodeficiency virus infection in the fetal and neonatal cat. Frontiers in Bioscience 12, 3668-3682, 2007.

Carreno, AD, Alleman, AR, Barbet, AF, Palmer, GH, Noh, SM, and Johnson, C.M.  In vivo endothelial cell infection by Anaplasma marginale, Veterinary Pathology, 44, 116-118, 2007

Kuhnt L.A., Jennings R.N., Brawner W.R., Hathcock J.T., Carreno A.D., Johnson C.M. (2009) Magnetic resonance imaging of radiation-induced thymic atrophy as a model for pathologic changes in acute feline immunodeficiency virus infection. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11 (12), 977-84

Pohlman, L.M., Higginbotham, M.L., Welles, E.G., and Johnson, C.M. (2009) Immunophenotypic and Histologic Classification of 50 Cases of Feline Gastrointestinal Lymphoma. Vet Pathol, 46: 259-268

Drake, D.A., Carreno, A.D., Blagburn, B.L., Little, S.E., West, M.D., Hendrix, C.M., and Johnson, C.M. (2008) Proliferative Sparganosis in a Dog. J Am Vet Med Assoc, 233 (11) 1756-60

May, KA, Kuebelbeck, KL, and Johnson, C.M. (2008) Urinary Bladder Rupture Secondary to Penile and Preputial Squamous Cell Carcinoma in a Gelding. Equine Veterinary Education, 20 (3) 135-139

Carreno, A.D., Mergia, A., Novak, J., Gengozian, N., and Johnson, C.M. (2008) Loss of Naive (CD45RA+) CD4+ Lymphocytes During Pediatric Infection with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 121: 161-168

Blagburn, B.L., Dillon, A.R., Tillson, D.M., Brawner, W.R., Welles, E., Johnson, C.M., Spencer, J.A., Kaltenboeck, B., Boothe, D.M., and Rynders, P. (2007) Feline Heartworm Disease: A New Perspective. Insights in Veterinary Medicine, 5:3 1-5

Novak, J.M., Crawford, P.C., Kolenda-Roberts, H.M., Johnson, C.M., and Mergia, A. (2007) Viral gene expression and provirus load of Orf-A defective FIV in lymphoid tissues and lymphocyte subpopulations of neonatal cats during acute and chronic infections. Virus Research, 130 (1-2): 110-120

Kolenda-Roberts, HM, Kuhnt, LA, Jennings, RN, Mergia, A, Gengozian, N, and Johnson, C.M. (2007) Immunopathogenesis of feline immunodeficiency virus infection in the fetal and neonatal cat. Frontiers in Bioscience, 12: 3668-3682

Carreno, AD, Alleman, AR, Barbet, AF, Palmer, GH, Noh, SM, and Johnson, C.M. (2007) In vivo endothelial cell infection by Anaplasma marginale, Veterinary Pathology, 44: 116-118

Sweat, JM, Johnson, C.M., Marikar, Y., Gibbs, EP (2005) Characterization of surface Interleukin-2 receptor expression on gated populations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from manatees, Trichechus manatus latirostris, Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 108: 269-283

Park, J, Nadeau, P, Zucali, JR, Johnson, C.M., Mergia, A (2005) Inhibition of simian immunodeficiency virus by foamy virus vectors expressing siRNAs, Virology, 343: 275-282

Crawford PC, Dubovi EJ, Castleman WL, Stephenson I, Gibbs EP, Chen L, Smith C, Hill RC, Ferro P, Pompey J, Bright RA, Medina MJ, Johnson C.M., Olsen CW, Cox NJ, Klimov AI, Katz JM, Donis RO (2005) Transmission of equine influenza virus to dogs., Science, 310 (5747): 482-485

Brown, L, Carter, TD, Snyder, P, Levy, JK, Johnson, C.M. (2005) Pulmonary Arterial Disease in Cats Seropositive for Dirofilaria Immitis But Lacking Cardiopulmonary Adult Heartworms, American Journal of Veterinary Research, 66(9): 1544-1549

Wellehan JF, Johnson AJ, Harrach B, Benko M, Pessier AP, Johnson C.M., Garner MM, Childress A, Jacobson ER (2004) Detection and analysis of six lizard adenoviruses by consensus primer PCR provides further evidence of a reptilian origin for the atadenoviruses, Journal of Virology, 78(23): 13366-13369

Johnson C.M., Gengozian N, Mergia A (2004) Hematopoiesis in the feline fetal liver: an assessment by flow cytometry, Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 99(1-2): 53-62

Jacobson, ER, Robertson, DR, Lafortune, M, and Johnson, C.M. (2004) Renal Failure and Bilateral Thymoma in an American Bullfrog, Rana catesbiana, J Herpe Med Surg, 14(2): 15-20

Fleming, GJ, Heard DJ, Uhl, EW, Johnson, C.M. (2004) Thymic Hyperplasia in Sub-adult Galapagos Tortoises (Geochelone nigra), J Herpe Med Surg, 14(1): 24-27

Sweat, JM, Johnson, C.M., Marikar, Y., Gibbs, EP.  Characterization of surface Interleukin-2 receptor expression on gated populations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from manatees, Trichechus manatus latirostris, Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology, 108, 269-283, 2005

Park, J, Nadeau, P, Zucali, JR, Johnson, C.M., Mergia, A.  Inhibition of simian immunodeficiency virus by foamy virus vectors expressing siRNAs, Virology, 343, 275-282, 2005

Fleming, G.J., Heard D.J., Uhl, E.W., Johnson, C.M.  Thymic Hyperplasia in Sub-adult Galapagos Tortoises (Geochelone sp.)  Submitted, Journal of Zoological and Wildlife Medicine.  2002

Sweat, J.M., Johnson, C.M., and Gibbs, E.P.J.  In vitro development and Characterization of a Manatee Bronchial Cell Line.  In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology 39: 249-256, 2003

Johnson, C.M., Gengozian. N., and Mergia, A.  Hematopoiesis in the feline fetal Liver:  An Assessment by Flow Cytometry.  Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 99: 53-62, 2004

Zucali, J. R., Ciccarone, T., Kelley, V., Park, J., Johnson, C.M. and Mergia, A. Transduction of Umbilical Cord Blood CD 34+ NOD/SCID Repopulating Cells by Simian Foamy Virus Type 1 (SFV-1) Vector.  Virology, 302:  229-335, 2002

Crawford, P.C., Papadi, G.P., Levy, J.K., Benson, N.A., Mergia, A., and Johnson, C.M.  Tissue Dynamics of CD8 Lymphocytes that Suppress Virus Replication in Cats Infected Neonatally with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Journal of Infectious Diseases. 184: 671-81, 2001

Norway, R.M., Crawford, P.C., Johnson, C.M., and Mergia, A.  Thymic Lesions in Cats Infected with a Pathogenic Molecular Clone or an ORF-A/2 Deficient Molecular Clone of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.  Journal of Virology.  75: 13. 5833-41, 2001

Johnson, C.M., Bortnick, S.J., Crawford, P.C., and Papadi, G.P.  Unique susceptibility of the fetal thymus to feline immunodeficiency virus infection:  An animal model for HIV infection in utero.  American Journal of Reproductive Immunology. 45:273-288, 2001

Clippinger, T.L., Bennett, R.A., Johnson, C.M., Vliet, K.A., Deem, S.L., Oros, J., Jacobson, E.R., Schumacher, I.M., Brown, D.R., and Brown, M.B. An epidemic of Mycoplasmosis in a herd of captive alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and transmission of the etiologic agent.  Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 31(3): 303-314, 2001

Orandle, M.S., Crawford, P.C., Levy, J.K., Udoji, R., Papadi, G.P., Ciccarone, T., Mergia, A., and Johnson, C.M. CD8+ thymic lymphocytes express reduced levels of CD8-beta and increased interferon-gamma in cats perinatally Infected with the JSY3 molecular clone of feline immunodeficiency virus. AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.  16:15: 1559-1571, 2000

Bortnick, S.J., Orandle, M.S., Papadi, G.P., and Johnson, C.M. Lymphocyte Subsets in the Neonatal and Juvenile Cat: Comparison of Blood and Lymphoid Tissues. Laboratory Animal Science. 49(4): 395-399, 1999

Johnson, C.M., Papadi, G.P., Tompkins, W.A., Sellon, R.K., Orandle, M.S., Bellah, J.R., and Bubenik, L.J.: Biphasic thymus response by kittens inoculated with feline immunodeficiency virus during fetal development. Veterinary Pathology. 35: 191-201, 1998

Mergia, A., Blackwell, J., Papadi, G.P., and Johnson, C.M.  Simian Foamy Virus type 1 (SFV-1) induces apoptosis. Virus Research. 50. 129-137, 1997

Cutler, T.J., MacKay, R.J., Johnson, C.M., and Papendick, R.  Bilateral ureteral tears in a foal.  Australian Veterinary Journal. 75:6. 1997. 413-415

Orandle, M.S., Papadi, G.P., Bubenik, L.J., Dailey, C.I., and Johnson, C.M.  Selective thymocyte depletion and B cell hyperplasia in the thymus of cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus.  AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses 13:7. 1997. 611-620

Bleyaert, H.F., Madison, J.B., Bailey, J.E., and Johnson, C.M.  Evaluation of the Biofragmentable anastomosis ring for small intestinal anastomosis in ponies.  Veterinary Surgery. 25:4. 1996.  327-335

Johnson, C.M., Benson, N.A., and Papadi, G.P. Apoptosis and CD4 lymphocyte depletion following feline immunodeficiency virus infection of a T-lymphocyte cell line. Veterinary Pathology. 33:2. 1996. 195-203

Johnson, C.M., Selleseth, D.W., Childers, T., Tompkins, M.B., Ellis, M.N., and Tompkins, W.A.F.  Reduced Provirus Burden and Enhanced Humoral Immune Function in AZT-Treated SCID-Feline Mice Inoculated with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology. 46. 1995. 169-180

English, R.V.,  Nelson, P., Johnson, C.M., Nasisse, M., Tompkins, W., and Tompkins, M.B.  Development of Clinical Disease in Cats Experimentally Infected with Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. Journal of Infectious Diseases. 170. 1994 . 543-552

Johnson, C.M., Selleseth, D.W., Childers, T., Tompkins, M.B., Ellis, M.N.,  and Tompkins, W.A.F.  Feline Lymphoid Tissues Engrafted into SCID Mice Maintain Morphologic Structure and Produce Feline Immunoglobulin. Laboratory Animal Science, 44:4. 1994. 313-318

Johnson, C.M., Torres, B.A., Koyana, H., and Yamamoto, J.K.  FIV as a Model for AIDS Vaccination.  AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses.  10:3. 1994.  225-228

English, R.V., Johnson, C.M., Gebhard, D., and Tompkins, M.B.  In Vivo Lymphocyte Tropism of Feline Immunodeficiency Virus.  Journal of Virology.  67:9. 1993.  5175-5186

Johnson, C.M., Cullen, J.M., and Roberts, M.C.  Morphologic characterization of castor oil induced colitis in ponies.  Veterinary Pathology.  30: 3.  1993.  248-255

Roberts, M.C., Clarke, L.L., and Johnson, C.M.  Castor oil-induced diarrhea in ponies:  A model for acute colitis.  Equine Veterinary Journal.  21: 7, Equine Colic Supplement.  1989.  60-67