Paul Brown

University of the West Indies (The UWI), Mona, Jamaica

Paul is a tenured Professor of Molecular Biology in the Department of Basic Medical Sciences at the University of the West Indies (The UWI) at Mona, Jamaica. He has been involved in research in public health-related infectious diseases (mainly in Jamaica) for the past 30 years, particularly in infectious diseases as well as in areas of basic medical sciences, including molecular signal transduction in diabetes and hypertension research. An important aspect of his research has been to enhance research capacity and foster collaboration in the molecular ecological investigation of several infectious diseases in Jamaica. Over the past three decades, he has carried out research and secondary data analysis on post-mortem detection of Leptospira in clinical samples, the effect of climatic variables on the incidence of leptospirosis, and the environmental modulation of virulence characteristics of the bacteria. Further, he has collaborated with colleagues at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA, to assess the risk of leptospirosis based on the detection of leptospiral DNA in potable water in selected rural and urban communities in Jamaica. He is heavily involved in academic advising/mentorship and development of junior faculty and graduate students at The UWI and has participated in international roles as a mentor of predoctoral and post-doctoral scientists. He previously served as a Council Member of the International Society for Infectious Diseases (2012-2020) and was a Fulbright Fellow in 2010. Paul is a current At-Large Councilor on the Council on Microbial Sciences of the American Society for Microbiology. He has had extensive service in several roles in ASM, including as part of the International Board, and provided leadership and oversight for ASM’s strategic direction in terms of communication between international members and Ambassadors, international grants and fellowships, and the appointment and orientation of Country Ambassadors. As testimony to my involvement, he was honoured by the African Initiative Group (AIG) for Microbiology in 2021. He holds a PhD in Microbiology, a Master of Philosophy in Biochemistry, and a BSc in Biochemistry and Chemistry from The University of the West Indies. Currently, he chairs the Campus’ Occupational Safety and Health Committee, and is a member of the Covid19 emergency management team and The University Senate. Since April 2015, he has been the President of the West Indies Group of University Teachers, WIGUT (Jamaica), a registered Trade Union that has members in 15 Caribbean countries, so quite steeped in negotiations, advocacy, and representation.