Johnathon Johnson
Candidate – PhD
Department of Chemistry
University of Florida
Johnathon is currently a 3rd year Graduate Student in the McElwee-White Research Group in the Organic Division.
What motivated you to excel at UF?
My motivation for pursuing achievement stems from my passion for my research project. I work on photoresists for Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography (EUVL), and I enjoy making advancements in this domain and contributing to the field of science. Additionally, my identity as a Black man working in chemistry motivates me to succeed. Although progress has been made in diversifying the scientific workforce, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) are still underrepresented in STEM research. Because of this, I strive towards excellence and continue to share my voice in hopes of impactful and meaningful change to the field of chemistry.
What are your career goals?
My current professional goal is to research semiconductors in the industry. It would be great to continue working in the field of EUVL when I begin my career. I also have interests in other types of chemistry, such as metal-organic frameworks and dye-sensitized solar cells, so I may also investigate those fields for future career opportunities.
What does community mean to you?
For me, community means having a supportive network of people to collaborate with to achieve various goals. I believe that to have a community, conscious efforts must be made to make it an inclusive and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.
How was your background shaped your experiences? ?
I have the experience of being the child of an immigrant from Barbados and have lived on an island with a culture different than my own in Okinawa, Japan. These lived experiences have taught me a great deal about people from other cultures, and I learned many values, such as different perspectives on life and why some cultures do things differently. One of my goals this Black History Month and throughout this year is to continue to learn more about Black experiences that are different than mine, such as from people who are Afro-Latinx.