William Evan Johnson ('02)
SUU to Professor of Medicine and Biostatistics
Originally published on January 07, 2026.
Evan Johnson, who grew up in St. George and obtained a bachelor’s degree at SUU, went on to earn advanced degrees at BYU and Harvard, and is today making a pronounced difference in two essential fields as a professor of medicine and biostatistics at Rutgers University and New Jersey Medical School, as well as in his work as founding director of the Center for Data Science and associate director of the Center for Biomedical Informatics and Health AI.
His work over the past two decades has brought him international recognition for advancing research, entrepreneurship, and translational impact in computational sciences, artificial intelligence (AI), and precision health.
Additionally, he excels in securing major public research grants and private investments, mentoring students and early-career faculty, building high-performing research teams, publishing extensively, and leading community-engaged initiatives.
“I am enthusiastically committed to educating and mentoring students while advancing student-centered, workforce-aligned programs through interdisciplinary collaboration and applied research,” he says.
Also, he is passionate about his research in Data Science and AI applied to problems in infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, and in cancer.
“I am driven by the goal of making a tangible difference in the clinic and in the lives of patients through innovative, interdisciplinary collaboration,” he says. “I want to continue to make a difference and impact and improve health in the world, especially for people that have had less opportunity.”
And he adds, “I also want to improve the health outcomes of people in rural Utah.”
He attributes his SUU experience in providing a solid foundation for his continued work in the field of medicine and education.
“The classroom experience and learning at SUU was outstanding,” he says. “I realized, while in graduate classes at BYU and Harvard, that the education I received at SUU was world-class and prepared me for success in that environment.”
And at SUU, he says, he learned that he loved both math and research, and that he could work hard and reach his goals.
“SUU really set me up for success,” he says.
Tags: Alumni