Kayunta Johnson-Winters

Kayunta Johnson-Winters is an associate professor within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. She began her appointment in August of 2010. The conducted research within her group spans from molecular biology techniques, such as polymerase chain reaction (pcr) and site-directed mutagenesis, to protein expression and purification. The Johnson-Winters group interests include mechanistic studies of F₄₂₀ cofactor dependent enzymes, using kinetic isotope effects methods, as well as steady-state and pre-steady state kinetic methods. This class of enzymes is unique, involving specifically hydride transfer reactions. The F₄₂₀ cofactor has implications with tuberculosis disease (TB), folate biosynthesis, antibiotic biosynthesis and energy production.

Prior to joining the University of Texas at Arlington's Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, Kayunta was a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona under the supervision of Emeritus Professor, John H. Enemark. In that capacity she studied the enzyme, Sulfite Oxidase. She received her PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 2006 under Professor Graham R. Moran. Her Dissertation title was, "Structural and Kinetic Characterization of 4-Hydroxyphenylpyruvate Dioxygenase from Streptomyces avermitilis." She received her Bachelor's degree, double majoring in biology and chemistry from Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in May of 1999.