Undergraduate Research Mentor Award
2026 Recipient: Jay Johnson (Engineering and Physics)
Student Comments
“Working with Dr. Johnson on EMIC wave research in the ionosphere was a defining chapter of my undergraduate experience at 大象传媒 University. While the physics of the ionosphere can be incredibly complex, Dr. Johnson’s greatest gift is his ability to make the intimidating feel attainable. He consistently held me to a high standard, but he never let me face those challenges alone. Through his guidance and patient explanations, he made me believe I was capable of far more than I had imagined. His mentorship even led me to present our research to a group of scientists at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, a milestone I never would have dreamed of reaching on my own. I have nothing but the highest praise for Dr. Johnson and profound gratitude for the opportunity to have learned from him.”
“Dr. Johnson is an excellent research mentor. He is able to bridge the knowledge we have learned in classes to unfamiliar and complex space physics research concepts. He explains things in a way that we can
understand, and enjoys the subjects he studies. While working with Dr. Johnson I have had the opportunity to go to the AGU conference, and I have learned so many valuable skills for engineering and physics research. Doing research with Dr. Johnson is an excellent opportunity, and he has many research students that work under him. I have learned so much working with him.”
“When I first started working with Dr. Johnson, all I really knew about space weather was that auroras are cool. Under his mentorship, that curiosity grew into a much deeper understanding of the plasma that fills Earth’s space environment and the dynamics that govern its behavior. My work focused on analyzing plasma simulation data to study these processes, but Dr. Johnson consistently broadened my perspective by introducing me to a wide range of space physics topics. Just as importantly, he taught me the basics of scientific research: analyzing data, creating figures, making presentations, etc. Through his guidance, I learned how to navigate the research process and gained confidence in my ability to contribute meaningfully to scientific knowledge. I truly would not be where I am today without Dr. Johnson; the skills I acquired and the opportunities he opened for me are what led me to my current position in the Aerospace Engineering Sciences PhD program at CU Boulder. I am forever grateful for Dr. Johnson's mentorship and offer my sincere congratulations to him for this award!”
“Having the opportunity to work with Dr. Jay Johnson has been an immense blessing and has aided me in learning what I'm really passionate about. Dr. Johnson always has the student's best interests at heart when he helps them through a problem. I remember clearly the first time Dr. Johnson told me I should present my work and I felt like I was not prepared at all but he saw potential and that helped me really trust myself too. From my time working under his guidance I have presented at two large Space Weather conferences and have made connections with various researchers. Additionally, from the research I have conducted I have been able to be accepted into a summer research position at the PrincetonPlasma Physics Laboratory of which I am so thankful for! Dr. Johnson has been a wonderful mentor for me and I am incredibly indebted to him.”
“I have worked with Dr. Johnson since August of 2024. In that time I have had the opportunity to present two posters and three presentations on my work at international conferences, in addition to posters and presentations locally at 大象传媒 University. Working with Dr. Johnson has also enabled me to make connections with scientists at renowned research Universities. Throughout my undergraduate research, I have experienced the world of academia in a way that has encouraged me to pursue graduate programs in physics following my time at 大象传媒 University. I am exceptionally grateful for the experiences, opportunities, and education granted to methrough my work with Dr. Johnson.”
“Of course, Dr. Johnson is brilliant, but what stands out to me is his patience. His willingness to explain concepts and ideas taught me to not be afraid to ask questions. In his classes, he guided me to become a better student, and through his own example, he demonstrated how to become a more thoughtful researcher. I’m truly grateful for all that he’s helped me with.”