Research dean prioritizes patient-focused research
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Milton Brown, MD, PhD, joined EVMS in 2022 following an extensive national search. As Vice Dean for Research, this renowned physician-scientist brings more than 20 years of experience. His research and educational focus are intranslational medicine and therapeutics discovery. Considered a pioneer in his field, Dr. Brown, the Prudence and Louis Ryan Chair of Research, is one of only a handful of physician-scientists in the U.S. to hold both a medical degree and a PhD in synthetic chemistry.
With more than 40 patents in his name, Dr. Brown is an elected Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors. His licensed therapeutic inventions have led to the creation of five biotech companies, and he has successfully designed and synthesized two drugs, both of which are in clinical testing in humans.
In 2015, Dr. Brown received the Percy Julian Award by the National Organization of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers for significant contributions in pure and/or applied research in science. He is serving a four-year term as a scientific counselor on the National Toxicology Program Board and has served as a scientific reviewer of grants and programs for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Department of Defense and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Dr. Brown came to EVMS from George Mason University where he was Professor of Practice in the College of Science and Director of the Center for Drug Discovery. Prior to George Mason, Dr. Brown was the Founding Director of the Drug Discovery Program at the Georgetown University Medical Center.
In the current issue of EVMS Magazine, he talked about his priorities and vision.
How has your background prepared you for your role as Vice Dean of Research?
My unique academic training as a physician-scientist in a basic science field (organic chemistry) and medicine (MD) has prepared me to interact with a diverse group of clinicians and scientists and guide a broad range of research in a distinctive way. My career has spanned developing and leading academic programs and collaborations with universities, community hospitals, academic centers and institutes, governmental agencies and large corporations to address areas of unmet medical need. To build these programs, I have raised significant financial resources through government grants, grateful patients and corporate partnerships. In addition, I enjoy interacting and working with people from broad backgrounds toward establishing common goals and developing solutions to complex problems.
What’s the primary focus of your research?
To design, synthesize and discover new medicines.
How does your training as a physician and chemist influence your approach to research?
The chemistry training taught me how to make the new medicines, and the medical training taught me what pathways and diseases to make it for.
What is your vision for research at EVMS going forward?
We want to focus EVMS research to deliver on the promise of improving the lives of patients in our community. We have developed four initial areas to address: 1) Clinical research support center; 2) Comprehensive Institute for Women’s Health; 3) an EVMS research portal and automation platform; and 4) EVMS Research Greenhouse for research commercialization and development in the community. We also plan to amplify existing research activities and programs, creating interconnects between existing programs and new initiatives.
What attracted you to EVMS?
I was drawn to EVMS by the promise of our leadership to continue research excellence, a talented faculty to engage, a hard-working, dedicated Research office and the determined focus to improve the health of our community through research innovation and delivery. Finally, it also helps that I love to fish and explore the ocean.