Dr. Mark Johnson, Professor and Chair of the Department of Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and Director of the Center for Mineralized Tissue Research, recently returned to Creighton University’s Department of Medicine for a ceremony recognizing work with Dr. Robert R. Recker, published 20 years ago, that has been cited over 1000 times in the scientific literature. The work involved several other colleagues who contributed to the paper. Many other colleagues also had their work added to the Wall of Scholarship yesterday. Dr. Johnson noted “I was very humbled to be honored this way”.
On a humorous aside they changed his degree on the plaque to M.D., (he is a Ph.D.) but he commented, “don’t expect me to be starting a practice anytime soon. Bob has been a mentor and close friend for 30 years and it was great to spend a little time with him and his wife Sue.”
About the discovery described in the paper:
The research identified a genetic change in a gene and its protein that results in significantly increased bone mass. Affected members of this family have never reported a bone fracture for any reason, which is quite remarkable. A month before our paper appeared another group identified the same gene with several different genetic changes that cause extremely low bone mass. These findings identified a pathway that at the time was not known to be important in the regulation of bone mass. There was widespread discussion about how this pathway could be targeted pharmaceutically to treat osteoporosis and this work along with another genetic disease in a gene/protein that regulates this pathway has recently resulted in a new, FDA approved drug, for increasing a person’s bone mass and reducing the risk of an osteoporotic fracture.
The Wall of Scholarship recognizes publications from research either conducted at Creighton or from an active member of the School of Medicine that was achieved over 500 citations (Silver Plaque) or 1000 citations (gold plaque).
Articles with over 500 citations represent the Top 0.1% and those with over 1000 represent the Top 0.04% of all papers published in the literature.
Achieving one of these career landmarks is considered high recognition for your research. Dr. Johnson has been fortunate to now have 2 publications that have over 1000 citations in the literature.