USU professor follows father’s footsteps to become chemist
Utah State is not only home to the Aggies, but to a leading scientist in the research of AIDS and other terminal diseases.
John Morrey, a professor in animal, dairy and veterinary science whose research is affiliated with the Biotechnology Center, has been working at Utah State since 1987 as well as continuing his virology research.
Morrey’s interest in science started at a young age growing up in Richland, Wash., which Morrey calls “the place where the nuclear industry was born.”
“As a kid I was definitely interested in biology,” Morrey said.
During Morrey’s childhood, his father was a physical chemist heading the nuclear research waste program for the U.S. government, and for a time Morrey was intimidated by his father’s work, but soon followed his example. Morrey received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Virology before starting his own clinical lab. Morrey then received his doctoate from Utah State and afterward attempted to continue his clinical lab work in Washington.
“It’s a different ball game there, so my lab failed. It was one of those learning experiences,” Morrey said.
The research aspect of Morrey’s career picked up again when the National Institute of Health offered him a job in Hamilton, Mont., to study unusual viruses.
“It was a turn of fate,” Morrey said.
It was while in Montana that Morrey’s AIDS research began. After a friend of Morrey’s read an article in Newsweek about the disease HIV that causes AIDS Morrey’s research began. Morrey focused on a virus similar to AIDS that is found in mice but that doesn’t hurt humans. Since many diseases only infect humans and chimpanzees such as AIDS and Hepatitis B. Morrey has dedicated years of research to studying such diseases in genetically engineered mice.
“There is a broad interest in this department,” Morrey said.
“I’ve become very interested in the social and ethical issues of science and especially genetic engineering,” Morrey said.
Another experience that opened Morrey’s eyes to other non-scientific views are the Liberty Foundation colloquiums he has been invited to attend and share his opinions at. These conferences invite 15 people from all professions to read books on a variety of subjects and share their views and thoughts.
“[The colloquiums] have been the most enriching professional experiences I’ve had. I’ve gained such a respect for non-scientific disciplines,” Morrey said.
Although Morrey loves his research and didn’t always plan on teaching, he said he has enjoyed it. Morrey said he feels he can communicate well with students and tries to always be aware of the “boredom index” and the “sleep index.”
Justin Julander, a graduate student majoring in virology has worked with Morrey in the classroom and in the lab.
“He knows his stuff and answers questions very well,” Julander said.