Biography
The overall goal of Dr. Brown’s research program is to understand how T cells are activated, differentiate into memory and provide protection against viral infections. We aim to understand how the innate immune response shapes the development of resident T and B cell memory as a prerequisite for developing vaccine strategies that induce broad protection against influenza infection.
Project 1 utilizes synthetic small molecule activators of innate immunity as vaccine adjuvants to promote protection against lethal, highly pathogenic influenza infection. Dr. Brown’s group has demonstrated that using small molecules in combination can provide dose sparing effects of both vaccine and adjuvant and promotes an immune state that more resembles infection, unlike current vaccine strategies for influenza.
Project 2 involves understanding the signals required for differentiation of distinct T cell subsets that provide anti-viral, anti-bacterial or homeostatic immune responses, while at the same time, avoiding autoimmunity.
Education Background
Ph.D. - University of Rochester Medical Center