In 2009, John was awarded the Dox Research Fellowship by Yale University for excellence in academics and research. John received his Masters of Science degree in chemistry from Yale University in 2008.
John received two Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of Redlands in 2006, one in biology and the other in chemistry. As an undergraduate, he spent three summers as a Stauffer Science Center Research Fellow where he worked in theoretical physical chemistry under the direction of Professor Teri Longin and in synthetic organic chemistry under the direction of Professor David Soulsby.
John has eight years experience in instruction of chemistry, including general and organic chemistry lecture and lab courses, both as a teaching fellow, teacher's assistant, and individual tutor.
In his spare time, John plays jazz saxophone and piano and enjoys honing his skills as an amateur photographer. He has played lead alto and soprano saxophone for the Cerritos College, Long Beach City College, and University of Redlands jazz bands. In the last fifteen years, John has studied under the direction of Rusty Higgins, Gary Pack, Bob Grieve, Professor Wayne Brasheer, Professor Dan Murphy, and Professor Donavon Gray, and has appeared in concert with such notable jazz names as Francisco Torres, Sal Cracchiolo, and Poncho Sanchez.
In November, 2002, John appeared on CBS's The Price is Right and won the Showcase Showdown, representing the University of Redlands and taking home over $48,000 worth of prizes.