Richard Johnson MD (He/Him)

Emeritus Professor of Medicine, University of Colorado Author, Nature Wants Us to Be Fat CEO, Colorado Research Partners LLC Expert on Sugar and Uric acid Metabolism

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1635 Aurora CtAurora, CO 80045
Phone+1 303-724-4849

Summary

Dr. Richard Johnson is a nephrologist based in Aurora, CO, with a medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School obtained in 1979. He completed his residency in internal medicine and a nephrology fellowship at the University of Washington and also undertook a fellowship in infectious disease. He was previously Chief of Nephrology at Baylor (2000-2003), the University of Florida (2003-2008) and the University of Colorado (2007-2017) and is currently Professor Emeritus at U Colorado. Dr. Johnson has published extensively on both kidney disease an d metabolic syndrome, including environmental impacts and disease outcomes. He is especially known for his work on fructose and uric acid. He is highly cited and was elected to The American Society for Clinical Investigation in 1995.

Education & Training

University of WashingtonFellowship, Infectious Disease, 1985 - 1986
University of WashingtonFellowship, Nephrology, 1982 - 1984
University of WashingtonResidency, Internal Medicine, 1979 - 1982
University of Minnesota Medical SchoolClass of 1979

Certifications & Licensure

CO State Medical License 2008 - 2027
FL State Medical License 2003 - 2010
TX State Medical License 2001 - 2003
WA State Medical License 1982 - 2000
American Board of Internal Medicine Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine Infectious Disease
American Board of Internal Medicine Nephrology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification EpicCare Ambulatory - Core EMR, Epic Systems Corporation, 2012, 2014-2017
CMS Meaningful Use Stage 2 Certification EpicCare Ambulatory 2014 Certified EHR Suite, Epic Systems Corporation, 2012, 2014-2017
CMS Meaningful Use Stage 1 Certification EpicCare Ambulatory EMR, Epic Systems Corporation, 2012-2013

Clinical Trials

Uric Acid and the Endothelium in CKD Start of enrollment: 2010 Oct 01
Completed
Not Applicable

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Chronic Inflammation as an Overlooked Link between Cardiovascular and Kidney Disease: A Focus on IL-6 and C-Reactive Protein.
Pablo Pergola, Richard J Johnson, Adeera Levin, Peter Stenvinkel
Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. 2026-03-10
Glomerular Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Endothelial Disturbances in Patients With Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome.
Sarah K Nelson-Taylor, Jonathan Troost, Courtney Giannini, Colin Bauer, Tarak Srivastava
Kidney Medicine. 2026-03-01
Neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and cell-free DNA dynamics during excessive heat stress in occupational and experimental settings.
Erik Hansson, Rachel E Gilworth, Jason R Glaser, Denis Chavarría, Bethany D Skinner
Journal of Thermal Biology. 2026-02-01

Journal Articles

Different Risk for Hypertension, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, and Hyperuricemia According to Level of Body Mass Index in Japanese and American Subjects
Paul S MacLean, Richard J Johnson, MDPI

Lectures

Getting a Handle on the Cause of Mesoamerican Nephropathy
American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2019 - Washington, D.C. - 11/7/2019
Reduced Insulin Sensitivity Predicts Vascular Complications in Type 1 Diabetes
Aurora, CO - 6/16/2014

Authored Content

Nature Wants Us To Be FatFebruary 2022

Press Mentions

Scientists Revive Ancient Gene to Tackle GoutAugust 27th, 2025
Here&Rsquo;S What Scientists Are Learning About Women&Rsquo;S Health from Other Female AnimalsFebruary 21st, 2023
Rick Johnson, M.D. On the Relationship Between Salt & Blood PressureMarch 7th, 2022