Dr Dennis Johnson has always promoted science in Saskatchewan. While Dr Johnson was Associate Vice-President Research at the University of Saskatchewan and after his retirement in 1997 he actively promoted the idea of bringing a synchrotron to the U of S. Once the Canadian Light Source was under construction Dr Johnson became the Director of the Saskatchewan Synchrotron Institute whose major function was to promote the development of a synchrotron user community in Saskatchewan. After retirement he was also involved in the Chamber of Commerce and became its President facilitating the generation of even more interest in the synchrotron. So much public interest was generated that taxi cab drivers can discuss intelligently why it is good that we have a synchrotron here in Saskatoon.

Dr Johnson was also instrumental in the formation of the Saskatchewan Drug Institute and the Cameco MS Neurosceince Centre. Dr Johnson has also been on the Board of Directors for the Saskatchewan Research Council, Veterinary (now Vaccination) and Infectious Disease organization and Ag-West Biotech.