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Adrienne Johnson, PhD

Assistant Professor
General Internal Medicine

What is your primary professional focus as it relates to our mission areas (clinical, research and/or medical education)?
Research focusing on the intersection between smoking and dementia. My main focus is on how to reduce the negative health effects of smoking in older adults and those at risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

What drew you to UW–Madison and the Department of Medicine? 
The Department of Medicine at this university has so many excellent resources, researchers, providers that it was hard to turn down the opportunity to work here. I began my time at UW–Madison as an undergraduate and am excited to rejoin the university as faculty.

What are you most excited about during your first year with the department in this role? 
I am most excited to collaborate with the different centers including my home, the Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention. I work closely with many at the Alzheimers Disease Research Center and have learned so much from the Carbone Cancer Center and the UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I enjoy spending time with family and friends in my home and around Madison. We are looking forward to the holidays in Madison!

Favorite piece of advice from a mentor or inspiring figure in your life?
My current mentor once told me that in order to say yes to something you must always say no to something else. I think about that each time a new opportunity arises to make sure I am comfortable with what I will have to say no to.