Megan Johnson (she/her)

Program Director

National Science Foundation

Dr. Megan C. Johnson is an accomplished astrophysicist serving as a program officer in the Division of Astronomical Sciences at the National Science Foundation (NSF). In her role, Dr. Johnson manages a diverse portfolio of advanced astronomical facilities and conducts groundbreaking research on galaxy formation and evolution. Her expertise is reflected in over 40 peer-reviewed journal articles, and she has been an influential mentor to numerous undergraduate and graduate students, actively participating in several PhD committees.

Before joining the NSF earlier this year, Dr. Johnson was an esteemed astronomer and supervisor at the United States Naval Observatory. There, she led critical astronomical research and operations that supported national positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities.

Passionate about outreach and education, Dr. Johnson has dedicated significant effort to making astronomy more accessible to underserved communities. She earned her PhD in astronomy and MS in physics from Georgia State University, graduating in 2011 and 2008, respectively.