Sarah Anne Johnson, PhD

With profound sorrow we announce that our beloved Sarah died peacefully of cancer on January 28, 2021 at the age of 38. Sarah was predeceased by her grandparents Paul and Pauline Johnson and Helen and Lloyd Kerr. She will be forever missed by her parents, Cathy Johnson and Howard Johnson (Kirsten), brother Paul (Hoda), aunts Judy Martin (Ned), Nancy Paul (Steve) and Lorna de Witt (John), uncle Robert Kerr, cousins Oona Martin (Matt), Jay Martin (Erika), Grace Martin, April Martin, Ben de Witt (Kristin), Tyler de Witt (Shirin) and Nathan de Witt (Emily), and countless friends and colleagues around the world.

Born in Kitchener, Ontario, Sarah grew up in Ottawa and attended Knoxdale Public School, Greenbank Middle School and Canterbury High School for the Performing Arts. She demonstrated the qualities of a true Renaissance woman from an early age, excelling in dance, visual arts and academics. After submitting applications for the visual arts and dance programs at Canterbury, she decided to pursue dance when she was accepted into both programs. Her interest in science having also been kindled at high school, she went on to complete a BSc with Honours in Neuroscience from Dalhousie University in 2004, a MSc from the University of Toronto in 2007, and a PhD from the University of Toronto in 2014. Then followed several years as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Florida, and most recently, an appointment as an Assistant Professor at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago.

Cited in over 800 scholarly publications, Sarah's research in behavioral and systems neuroscience focused on the neural mechanisms that allow us to distinguish similar events from memory, and how these functions change across the lifespan, particularly during later adulthood and aging.

She will always be remembered as a loving daughter and sister, and a warm, thoughtful friend and scientist admired by all for her generosity, intelligence, sense of humor, and unflagging optimism and persistence in all she did. Throughout her career Sarah mentored dozens of students; many have noted her profound impact on their academic careers, scientific thinking and personal lives. The McKnight Brain Institute and Center for Cognitive Aging and Memory at the University of Florida recently announced an annual award named in her honor to recognize one postdoctoral fellow and one assistant professor who exemplify Sarah's passion for research and dedication to mentorship.

Sarah's family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of tributes received since her passing. They especially wish to thank all her friends who helped orchestrate her final return home from Chicago in December, and Dr. Paul Hacker and Dr. Sonya Swift for their compassionate palliative care throughout the month of January. Interment at Highland Park Cemetery and a celebration of Sarah's life will be held once COVID-19 travel restrictions have been lifted.

Sarah requested that any donations in her memory be directed to the International Retinoblastoma Consortium's Sarah Looks Forward, the Dr. Sarah Anne Johnson Memorial Fund. To make a donation, please see the links below.

Sarah Looks Forward, The Dr. Sarah Johnson Memorial Fund

Sarah saw the need for improved followup not only as an Rb survivor herself, but also through her volunteer work with the Canadian Retinoblastoma Research Advisory Board (CRRAB) here in Canada.

The Sarah Looks Forward fund will carry on Sarah's determination and optimism to support long-term follow-up care and information for adults with retinoblastoma, to achieve early detection of second cancers. Sarah always sought new experiences, better explanations and new ways of doing things. Inspired by her outlook on life, the fund will support novel research and action towards a better future for retinoblastoma survivors.

Sarah Looks Forward will be administered through the International Retinoblastoma Consortium (IRBC), a charitable organization run by volunteers committed to enhancing retinoblastoma patient care and research. Further information about the IRBC can be found at:

https://www.retinoblastomaconsortium.org/

Dr. Brenda Gallie, the ophthalmologist who diagnosed Sarah’s retinoblastoma 38 years ago, continues to be a world leader in retinoblastoma research and treatment, and is President of the Board of Directors of IRBC. A recent interview with Dr. Gallie highlighting a major advancement in the treatment of retinoblastoma 20 years in the making can be found at:

https://knowtheglow.org/know-the-glow-interviews-dr-brenda-gallie/

We, Sarah’s family, sincerely hope that her memorial fund will contribute to a positive legacy of similar long-lasting benefits for many people.

Contributions to Sarah Looks Forward can be made as follows:

From Canada,

by selecting Sarah Looks Forward, the Dr. Sarah Johnson Memorial Fund from the drop-down menu at the following location:

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/international-retinoblastoma-consortium/

From the USA,

by selecting Sarah Looks Forward Fund from the “Designation” drop-down menu at the following location:

https://www.mightycause.com/donate/World-Eye-Cancer-Hope