Johnny Ray Runyon
- Assistant Research Professor, Environmental Science
- Assistant Research Director, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
- (520) 626-5916
- SHANTZ, Rm. 429
- TUCSON, AZ 85721-0038
- jrayrunyon@arizona.edu
Biography
Over the course of my a career I have developed new ways to make accurate and precise measurements of analytes in challenging environments. To drive innovative research forward a meaningful measurement must be accurate and placed in context. New approaches require a combination of methods spanning different disciplines, thus placing my work at the interface between disciplines including chemistry, materials science, separation science, nanotechnology, microfluidics, device manufacturing, environmental sciences and life sciences. This multidisciplinary intersection is especially true at my current position with the University of Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine where I seek to understand, from a systems biology perspective, the dynamic two-way interaction of humans with their environment through novel measurements of small molecules, peptides and protein biomarkers in sweat. The knowledge gained is used to guide development of non-invasive and continuous assessment of human health, well-being and performance. Additionally I have previous experience with small business entrepreneurship and partnering with companies in the biotech, manufacturing, environmental and pharmaceutical arenas.
Degrees
- Ph.D. Applied Chemistry
- Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, United States
- Thermal Field-Flow Fractionation of Polymers with High Molecular Weight and Complex Architectures
- B.S. Chemistry
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States
Interests
No activities entered.
Courses
2024-25 Courses
-
Honors Independent Study
HNRS 299H (Spring 2025) -
Honors Independent Study
PSIO 399H (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
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Directed Research
PSIO 492 (Spring 2024) -
Directed Research
NROS 492 (Fall 2023) -
Honors Thesis
PSY 498H (Fall 2023) -
Independent Study
PSIO 499 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Directed Research
PSYS 492 (Spring 2023) -
Directed Research
PSYS 492 (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Directed Research
NSCS 492 (Spring 2022) -
Honors Thesis
PSIO 498H (Spring 2022) -
Independent Study
NSCS 499 (Spring 2022) -
Directed Research
NSCS 492 (Fall 2021) -
Honors Thesis
PSIO 498H (Fall 2021) -
Independent Study
NSCS 499 (Fall 2021)
Scholarly Contributions
Journals/Publications
- Engel, M., Vincent, N., Pierce, S., Kovarik, L., Kukkadapu, R. K., Pacheco, J., Qafoku, O., Runyon, J. R., Chorover, J., Zhou, W., Cliff, J., Boye, K., & Bargar, J. R. (2023). Structure and composition of natural ferrihydrite nano-colloids in anoxic groundwater. Water Research, 238, 119990.
- Runyon, J. R., & Hyde, J. (2020). LCMS measurement of steroid biomarkers collected from palmar sweat.. Chemrxiv, 1-21. doi:10.26434/chemrxiv.12931769More infoHuman eccrine sweat contains numerous biomarkers which can provide information on health, performance, and aging. Non-invasive collection and measurement of biomarkers has become especially important in recent times given viral outbreaks like SARS-CoV-2. In the current study we describe a method of sweat collection from palmar surfaces in participants via surface capture using glass beads and the resulting analysis of biomarkers from very low volumes of sweat using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. Study participants underwent a cognitive and physical stress task with easy and hard conditions with sweat being collected after each task. Resulting analysis found a signal for 22 steroid biomarkers and we report detailed information on selected biomarkers, given their applicability to timely real-world exemplars, including cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone, allopregnanolone, estrone, aldosterone, and 20α/β-dihydrocortisone.
- Chorover, J., McIntosh, J., Pelletier, J., Pohlmann, M. A., Ray Runyon, J., Redfield, S. E., & Trostle, K. D. (2016).
Colloids and organic matter complexation control trace metal concentration-discharge relationships in Marshall Gulch stream waters: Concentration-discharge relations for trace metals
. Water Resources Research, 52(10), 7931-7944. doi:10.1002/2016wr019072
Presentations
- Runyon, J. R., Chen, Q., Engineer, A. A., Mehl, M., de Oliveria Almeida, G., Parker, K. E., & Hao, Q. (2023, May).
Personal Thermal Comfort Management & Minimized Building Energy Consumption via Ambient Light Exposure for Optimal Thermal Comfort in Older Adults
. Innovations in Healthy Aging. Washington DC.
Poster Presentations
- Babbitt, C., McDougal, L., Runyon, J. R., & Sternberg, E. M. (2023, Sept).
DART Analysis of Hormone and Neurotransmitter Biomarkers in Palmar Sweat
Cole Babbitt*, London McDougal, J. Ray Runyon, Phd; Esther M Sternberg, MD
. BIO5 Research Symposium. BIO5. - Oddes, R., Romanski, E., & Runyon, J. R. (2023, Sept). Synchronized multiple body part thermal camera recordings to correlate temperature and sweat pore count and track autonomic nervous system activity. BIO5 Research Symposium. BIO5.
- Tano, D., Runyon, J. R., & Sternberg, E. M. (2023, Sept). Importance of Environment and its Effects on Stress Levels in Humans. BIO5 Research Symposium. BIO5.
- Runyon, J. R., Kromenacker, B. W., Wilson, R. C., Sternberg, E. M., & Hyde, J. (2020, January). Thinking about sweat: Sweat biomarker correlates of physical and mental effort. UArizona COM 4th Annual PI Poster Session. COM: UArizona COM.
