Nicholas Johnson, M.D., MSCI, FAAN, is the Director of the Center for Inherited Myology Research, George Bliley Research Chair, and Professor and Vice Chair of Research in Neurology at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). His laboratory is focused on identifying the pathogenesis of myotonic dystrophy, the limb girdle muscular dystrophies, and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy and identifying appropriate clinical endpoints for these conditions. Dr. Johnson conducts therapeutic trials in many other inherited nerve and muscle disorders and also dedicates significant time to laboratory research as part of a team at VCU Health working to advance the treatment of genetic muscle disorders, with a special emphasis on muscular dystrophies. Dr. Johnson completed his neurology residency and combined fellowship in neuromuscular medicine and experimental therapeutics at the University of Rochester. He obtained his medical degree and undergraduate degree in molecular and cellular biology and psychology at the University of Arizona.