Early Career Editorial Board Member Interview: Johnson V. John

Dr. Johnson V. John is an Assistant Professor at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation. Johnson V. John was born in Kerala, India. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Kannur University and master’s degree in Biochemistry from Bharathidasan University, India. Then he finishes his Ph.D. in "Stimuli-Responsive Synthetic Polymer Bioconjugate Hybrid Nanocarriers for Controlled Drug Delivery" under the guidance of Prof. Il Kim at Pusan National University, Republic of Korea. Then, he joined Prof. Carlo. D. Montemagno’s Lab as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the University of Alberta, Canada (2016-2018). Then, he joined Jingwei Xie’s lab at the University of Nebraska Medical Center as a Postdoctoral Research Associate (2018-2021). Since 2021 he joined as one of the core faculty members in Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation.

Here is the interview we did with him:

1. Could you briefly introduce the specific focus of your current research within the broad area of bioactive materials?

I’m Johnson V. John, a faculty member at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Los Angeles, USA. My research focuses on developing innovative bioactive materials tailored for advanced tissue engineering applications. Specifically, I work on modular biomaterials, electroactive biomaterials, and immunomodulatory biomaterials, aiming to enhance regeneration and functional recovery across various tissues.

Modular biomaterials allow for customizable design and controlled assembly, enabling precise tuning of mechanical and biological properties for specific applications. Electroactive biomaterials leverage electrical properties to stimulate cellular responses, making them particularly useful in neural and muscle tissue engineering. Immunomodulatory biomaterials are designed to actively regulate immune responses, minimizing inflammation and fibrosis while promoting tissue repair.

These bioactive material platforms are being developed for diverse applications, including wound healing, volumetric muscle loss repair, neural tissue engineering, and organ engineering. By integrating tunable porosity, bioactive signaling, and responsive material properties, my research aims to create next-generation biomaterials that support complex tissue regeneration and improve clinical outcomes.

2. In the context of researching bioactive materials, what unique obstacles or difficulties have you faced?

One of the major challenges in researching bioactive materials is managing inflammation and fibrosis, which can significantly impact the effectiveness of biomaterial-based therapies. Inflammation, if uncontrolled, can lead to chronic immune responses, delaying tissue regeneration. Similarly, excessive fibrosis can result in scar tissue formation, hindering functional tissue repair. To overcome these challenges, I am focusing on designing immunomodulatory modular scaffolds with tunable porosity. By precisely controlling the scaffold architecture and incorporating bioactive cues, I aim to regulate immune responses, minimize fibrosis, and create a favorable microenvironment for tissue regeneration. These scaffolds are engineered to provide controlled cellular interactions, modulate macrophage polarization, and promote regenerative healing, making them highly adaptable for applications in wound healing, volumetric muscle loss, and neural tissue engineering.

3. How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in research, considering the rapidly evolving nature of the field?

Staying updated in the rapidly evolving field of bioactive materials and tissue engineering is essential. I achieve this through multiple strategies: (i) Following science. I regularly review and read high-impact journals like Advanced Materials, Bioactive materials, Biomaterials, and Nature Biomedical Engineering to track emerging trends and technologies. Moreover, I utilize ResearchGate, Google Scholar alerts, bioRxiv, and webinars to stay informed about the latest advancements in biomaterials and regenerative medicine. (ii) Conferences & Networking – Attending major conferences such as SFB, TERMIS, and MRS provides insights, collaboration opportunities, and exposure to cutting-edge research. I’m engaging with researchers from academia, industry, and clinical settings fosters idea exchange and keeps me informed on innovative approaches. By integrating these approaches, I ensure my research remains aligned with the latest innovations in the field.

4. What were the key factors that attracted you to become an early career editorial board member of Bioactive Materials?

I was drawn to join the early career editorial board of Bioactive Materials for several reasons. The journal’s strong reputation in biomaterials research aligns with my expertise in modular and immunomodulatory biomaterials. It offers a platform to stay updated on cutting-edge research while contributing to rigorous peer review. Additionally, this role supports my professional growth by enhancing editorial skills and expanding my academic network, ultimately helping shape the future of the field.

5. From your perspective, what are the most promising directions for the future development of Bioactive Materials?

The future of Bioactive Materials holds exciting potential in several key areas.

(i) Biomaterials and AI-Driven Design: AI can be used to model and predict the behavior of bioactive materials that respond to environmental cues. By analyzing vast datasets, machine learning algorithms can identify patterns in material properties and cellular responses, enabling the design of biomaterials with optimized performance for specific conditions. Immunomodulatory biomaterials that can regulate the immune response to prevent chronic inflammation and fibrosis will be crucial for improving outcomes in tissue repair and regeneration. 

(ii) Personalized biomaterials: It can be tailored to individual patient needs based on their specific tissue conditions and healing profiles will likely play a central role in precision medicine. These directions will push the boundaries of bioactive materials, enabling more effective and targeted treatments for a wide range of clinical challenges.

(iii) Hybrid biomaterials: Hybrid biomaterials with sensors can continuously monitor key factors such as pH, temperature, oxygen levels, and inflammatory markers within the tissue microenvironment. This data can provide insight into the progression of tissue repair, helping researchers and clinicians track healing dynamics in real time.

6. As an early career editorial board member, what initiatives do you plan to take to engage more early-career researchers with the journal and the field of bioactive materials?

I plan to create a special issue focused specifically on early-career researchers, highlighting cutting-edge topics such as bioactive materials and AI, immunomodulatory biomaterials, and hybrid biomaterials. This initiative would provide a platform for emerging scientists to showcase their work, foster collaboration, and inspire others in the field. Additionally, I aim to host virtual events or webinars to engage early-career researchers, providing them with opportunities to discuss trends, share research, and build networks within the bioactive materials community. 

7. Beyond your scientific endeavors in bioactive materials, what is your favorite pastime? 

Outside of my scientific work, I enjoy watching soccer—especially the English Premier League, La Liga, and the Champions League—and playing chess. On weekends, I love spending time with family and friends, which provides a great balance to my professional life and allows me to recharge and stay inspired.

8. Given the demanding nature of scientific research, how do you manage to strike a balance between your research work and your personal life?

Striking a balance between my research and personal life is essential for maintaining long-term productivity and well-being. I prioritize time management by setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, ensuring I dedicate specific hours to both. I also try to stay organized, breaking down tasks into manageable steps, which helps avoid overwhelm.

Outside of work, I make sure to engage in activities that help me recharge, such as watching soccer, playing chess, and spending time with family and friends. These moments allow me to unwind, stay motivated, and return to my work with renewed energy and focus. By managing my time effectively and making self-care a priority, I can maintain a healthy work-life balance while advancing my research.