Clifford Johnson

Clifford Johnson was nine years old when he decided he wanted to be a physicist. Except to develop talents as a teacher and trumpeter, he has not veered from that path ever since.

As he has grown, so have his research ambitions: He aims to describe the origin and the fundamental constituents of the universe. String theory and black holes are among his current research subjects.

Johnson came to USC in the fall of 2003 as part of the College Senior Faculty Hiring Initiative. His arrival is one of many that are making the recruitment effort a success in bringing outstanding senior faculty and well-established associate professors to this campus.

• Clifford Johnson's faculty profile