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I have always been passionate about understanding how animals think, feel, and interact with the world around them. A native of Massachusetts, I graduated from Harvard University, where I explored these ideas in many contexts--studying parrot cognition in Dr. Irene Pepperberg’s lab at Harvard; primate-human interactions in Rwanda; dogs’ perceptions of morality at Yale University’s Canine Cognition Center; and gorilla behavior at Boston’s Franklin Park Zoo. Most recently, I conducted my undergraduate thesis research in Mexico, studying sex differences in the ranging behavior of Yucatan spider monkeys in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve. These experiences have confirmed my belief that animals exhibit unique, individual behavioral tendencies, or “personalities,” bringing into question why different personality traits might be favored in the wild. At Cambridge, I will pursue a PhD in Zoology under Dr. Rose Thorogood. My research will examine how personality and social network position influence fitness and other outcomes in hihi (endangered New Zealand birds), and how this information can be used to develop better conservation strategies. Beyond my research, I hope to continue pursuing my other interests in conservation education, creative writing, world music, and percussion. I am so grateful to be joining the Gates Cambridge community and look forward to meeting my fellow scholars!

Previous Education

Harvard University

Dr. Matthew Kuan Johnson works at the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and theology on topics related to ethics, empathy, embodiment, and the emotions. He earned his Ph.D. in Moral Philosophy earlier this year from the University of Cambridge as a Gates Scholar, and also holds an MPhil in Social Psychology from the University of Cambridge (with high distinction) and a B.A. in Cognitive Science from Yale University (magna cum laude). Previously, he was a Contributing Scholar at the Yale Center for Faith and Culture and an Adjunct Professor at Pepperdine University, and has taught in the University of Cambridge’s Philosophy and Psychology Departments.

Earlier this year, he wrote the target article for a special issue (on Joy) of the Journal of Positive Psychology:
https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/rpos20/15/1?nav=tocList

A question overtook me during a drive through the Pennsylvania Wilds in 2015. How might people in life situations of “exile” have access to theology and literature itself conceived out of exile? Thus, a passion for Dante that had begun during my first year of seminary at the University of Notre Dame developed into a weekly Dante study group at my local prison in northeast PA, and through my exposure to the lives and hopes of these inmates over the course of two years, I began to see how Dante could be used to explore the fundamental structures of and possibilities for human unity, even in the midst of fragmentation and isolation. My research in the Faculty of Divinity will formalize this exploration by tracing the theological and metaphysical participation traditions in which Dante stands, delimiting his understanding of the inter-relationality among divine and human nature(s), and applying the systematic consequents of his theology of participation to new ways of thinking about social modalities, wherein pluralities of valuation and reasoning may cohere to address the anomies of our own day. As a Roman Catholic priest from a military family in Alabama, I am humbled to be part of the Gates community and eager to gain from it a deepening respect for the versatility of human goodness.

Previous Education

Seton Hall University
University of Notre Dame

Experiencing the tragedy of disease, poverty and starvation, both personally and in various countries, has left an indelible passion in me to pursue plant science to make a brighter future for humanity. For my Master’s research, I studied the inheritance of disease resistance and spicy flavor in chile peppers, where I discovered a new gene that inhibits disease resistance, helped sequence the chile pepper genome and broke the world record for "hottest pepper". At Cambridge, I will investigate improving crop productivity by working towards transferring the more efficient C4 photosynthesis into less efficient C3 photosynthetic, yet economically important, crops--notably rice and wheat. Engineering C4 photosynthesis into C3 crops could potentially increase current yields by 50%, while adding greater nitrogen- and water-use efficiency. This would be an incredible solution to global food security and supply! Upon completion of a PhD, I aspire to become a plant breeder.

I'm originally from West Orange, NJ and I'm currently a seminarian with the Congregation of Holy Cross (the same religious community as fellow Gates Scholars Fr. Kevin Grove C.S.C. and Fr. Chase Pepper C.S.C.) pursuing my Masters of Divinity at the University of Notre Dame.

I previously served a Lieutenant in the US Navy, designated as a Submarine Warfare Officer. I completed my undergraduate education at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, where I received a Dual Major in Mechanical Engineering (BS) and Ocean Engineering (BS), and was a 4 Year Member of the Varsity Lightweight Rowing Team. I earned an MPhil in Energy Technologies as a Gates Scholar at Cambridge University.

In September of 2014, after my time in Cambridge, I completed the Navy Nuclear Training Pipeline in Charleston SC at NNPTC and qualified Engineering Officer of the Watch at NPTU on the MTS-635 S5W Reactor.

In May 2016 I reported to the USS HARTFORD, a Los Angeles Class Fast Attack Submarine in Groton Connecticut. I previously served as the Fire Control Officer, Anti-Terrorism Officer, Chemical-Radiological Controls Assistant, Assistant Engineer, Assistant Operations Officer, and most recently as the Communications Officer and Primary COMSEC Manager (Both EKMS and KMI). I qualified Submarines in June of 2017, and completed the Prospective Nuclear Engineer Officer's Course (PNEO) to be certified as an Engineer in S6G plants. In 2017 I served as the EOOW and JOOW during one EUCOM Deployment. In 2018 I served as the Primary Officer of the Deck (OOD) during ICEX 2018 and a Surge Deployment. I served as Contact Manager and OOD during my third and final deployment to EUCOM.

In 2019 I left the USS HARTFORD and reported to the US Naval Academy, where I serve as a Physics Instructor, the Officer Representative for the Catholic Midshipman Club and a Volunteer LWT Rowing Coach.

My hobbies and interests include multi-day hiking, long distance cycling, renewable and alternative energy, and mountain climbing. My longest ride to date was a 10 day cycling trip across the UK totaling 1,089 miles.