Jerry Johnson is an associate professor in the Department of Biology and has been at BYU since 2004. He earned his PhD at the University of Vermont. His research interests focus on speciation and the evolution of behavior in tropical fishes. Most of his current research is conducted in Central America.
His primary teaching is in introductory biology, in which he interacts each fall semester with incoming freshmen. He also teaches a capstone course in evolutionary biology, largely populated by graduating seniors. He leads an International Biology Internship Program at BYU, helping send students abroad to conduct research each year.
He and his wife, Jill, are the parents of three sons. His service in the Church has primarily been with the youth—most recently as a Scoutmaster and now as a member of a new bishopric in his home ward.