When Dr. Kayunta Johnson-Winters steps into a biochemistry lab, she brings not only scientific expertise but also a deep commitment to making STEM a more inclusive and equitable space for all.
Dr. Johnson-Winters is an Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Texas (UT) at Arlington and the first African American woman to earn tenure in her department. She earned a PhD in biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). She also worked as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on F420-dependent enzymes, found in sulfate-reducing and methanogenic archaea as well as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a special class of pathogenic bacteria that causes tuberculosis (TB). With over $4 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Welch Foundation, and the National Science Foundation, her research not only deepens our understanding of enzymatic mechanism but also provides hands-on research opportunities for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.
Dr. Johnson-Winters, as a proven leader, has advanced opportunities in research in her roles as Director of Undergraduate Research and as former Director of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP). She has designed and implemented programs that have supported hundreds of students in STEM by providing mentorship, research opportunities, and professional training, propelling many into graduate study and successful careers. As the faculty co-chair of the Women’s Faculty and Staff Network (WFSN), she led initiatives that enhanced professional development and mentorship across the university for women and which directly impacted faculty retention and advancement. In her role as adviser to the College of Science Black Graduate Student Association (COSBGSA), she has built lasting frameworks of support for graduate students at UT and has helped them increase their visibility, resources, and academic success.
Her leadership and advocacy have earned her numerous honors: She was a 2024 American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) Fellow, PAESMEM 2024 Finalist, UT Arlington’s Academy of Distinguished Service Leader, and a recipient of the UT System LSAMP Director’s Award for her exceptional mentorship and dedication to diversifying STEM fields across UT campuses.
Dr. Johnson-Winters also uses her voice to spark broader conversations. ASBMB Today has published her essay “Being Black in the Ivory Tower,” which offers a powerful reflection of her journey through the criminal justice system and academia.
This article is based on an interview with this distinguished scientist, mentor, and advocate, whose work continues to inspire a new generation to see science as a space where innovation and equity thrive together.
What inspired you to pursue a career in biochemistry? Were there any pivotal moments or a mentor who inspired your path?
My story is straightforward. I enjoyed chemistry in high school, which led me to pursue a double major in biology and chemistry in college. I originally planned to go to medical school, but that changed after participating in the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research at the Medical College of Wisconsin. There, I had the opportunity to work with a medical doctor, and that experience made me understand the real-world impact of scientific research. Coming from a single-parent household and working part-time, I am especially grateful for that research opportunity. During my junior year, a biochemistry course made everything click. That is when I realized biochemistry was my niche. In addition, Dr. Ann Van Heerden, my biochemistry professor at Alverno College in Milwaukee, had an engaging teaching style and a passion for research that inspired me to pursue a career in biochemistry.
What was your experience like as a graduate student at UWM and as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona? How did your experiences influence your career research?
As an African American woman beginning my journey in STEM, I thought my path that would be both unique and challenging. At UWM, I was the only African American graduate student in the chemistry department, yet I never felt isolated. The chemistry department fostered a culture of inclusivity and support. My advisor, Dr. Graham R. Moran, provided guidance that was invaluable in my professional growth. I also won several research awards, which made me feel celebrated and seen. At the University of Arizona, I worked under the mentorship of Professor Emeritus John H. Enemark, a leading expert in inorganic chemistry and metalloenzymes. As the only African American in the department, I was once again in the position of being underrepresented but this time with a stronger voice and purpose, built from my foundation at an allgirls high school and an all-women’s liberal arts college. Professor Enemark provided me with an opportunity to write an NIH grant, which secured funding for my salary as well as an F32 Kirschstein-NRSA fellowship. This experience not only allowed me to build a lab from the ground up but also prepared me for a faculty role by giving me the chance to mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers, as well as fellow postdocs.
Please explain about your research of F420-dependent glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases (FGDs).
My research focuses on the mechanistic enzymology of F420-dependent enzymes, which are present in certain methanogenic and sulfate-reducing Archaea, Mycobacterium, and other non-methanogenic organisms. F420 is a cofactor. In biochemistry, a cofactor refers to a non-protein molecule that aids in facilitating a biological chemical reaction. Because F420 does not exist in humans but does have a presence in M. tuberculosis, it makes an ideal and specific target for drug development. Nitroimidazoles are prodrugs that treat multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) strains of tuberculosis. Enzymes that use F420 activate these prodrugs. Therefore, understanding how these enzymes work is key to improving and expanding TB treatment. Furthermore, I focus extensively on the F420-dependent enzyme. My team discovered that this enzyme uses a catalytic dyad to move electrons during a redox chemical reaction, which helped us understand how this enzyme works. Our findings could help scientists develop better treatments for drug-resistant tuberculosis.
What challenges did you face as the first woman from an underrepresented group to earn tenure in your department, and how have those experiences shaped your mentorship of marginalized students in STEM?
One of the most significant challenges I faced occurred when I was starting out as the only young woman assistant professor navigating among senior male colleagues. Over time, our department evolved, becoming more inclusive, and we hired several more women faculty members. Some of the greatest challenges, however, were outside the department, particularly with establishing collaborations in the space where people like me have historically been overlooked. Organizations like American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) helped me in my professional development. I have had the honor of mentoring Lindsay Davis, the first African American woman to earn a PhD in chemistry at our university and now an assistant professor at Langston University. Another of my students recently completed her PhD in chemistry. I have mentored several undergraduate students, MS students, and PhD students as well. My team at UT Arlington organized mentorship programs aimed at helping students improve their professional application letters and career readiness. I am proud to say that between 2019 and 2021, our college graduated 14 underrepresented students who participated in the professional development program conducted by the College of Science Black Graduate Student Association (COSBGSA), which helped them complete their college degrees. Their achievements through a support system from the College of Science at UTA reflect a meaningful contribution to both our community and workforce.
How have you managed to maintain a sense of balance between your professional and personal life? What advice would you offer to women just entering academia, particularly to undergraduate students?
I have come to accept that you can’t have everything all at once, and that is okay. Balancing professional and personal life is not about perfection, but it is about setting priorities. I focus on what matters most in the moment. Some things, like my personal well-being, are nonnegotiable. My suggestion for women entering academia would be to decide what is truly important to you and make space and time for it. Be unapologetic about setting time for yourself. Those around you can and will adjust, so allow yourself to prioritize what you need. You deserve it. For women undergraduate students, I recommend building a network of mentors and seeking out camaraderie. Don’t be discouraged by imposter syndrome: It is normal. Be relentless in the pursuit of your goal. Furthermore, embrace challenges; even if things don’t work out, you learn and improve. It is a lot like strength training, where every effort builds resilience.
What inspired you to write an award-winning essay, “Being Black in the Ivory Tower”?
I grew up in Milwaukee, a city where the gun death rate among Black people is high. The murder of George Floyd deeply resonated with the Black community and with me because of what my family went through. Writing this essay was my way of sharing those experiences, including the difficult moment when my 14-year-old son became a victim of a shooting incident while spending the summer in Wisconsin with my mother. Through this essay, I hope to encourage readers to listen, reflect, and take real action toward equity and inclusion in higher education. I received a lot of positive feedback on the piece, and it was truly fascinating to see how it connected with others. I also received a Silver Award from the AM&P Network EXCEL Awards, and I believe this essay continues to resonate with readers across disciplines.
Do you have any suggestions for AWIS members?
I love the work AWIS is doing to empower women in science. It is important for all of us in similar organizations to stay focused on why we do this work. For an organization like AWIS, especially during challenging times, membership engagement is crucial. Hence, together, we can continue to make a meaningful and lasting impact.
Shruti Shrestha, PhD, is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Physics at Penn State Brandywine. Dr. Shrestha, a particle physicist, worked on the High Voltage Monolithic Active Pixel sensor for the Mu3e Experiment. She also conducts free workshops in the Philadelphia area to motivate and empower girls to pursue STEM degrees.
This article was originally published in AWIS Magazine. Join AWIS to access the full issue of AWIS Magazine and more member benefits.