Joshua Brown | University of West Florida

As a senior at the University of West Florida, Joshua Brown made headlines when he proposed four compounds that could potentially inhibit HIV. He is continuing his groundbreaking research today at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where he is studying to become a physician-scientist and make a difference for those affected by HIV.

Can you tell us a little about what you do?

I’m a trainee in the MD/Ph.D. program at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where I’m currently conducting HIV structural biology research using nuclear magnetic resonance, or NMR, spectroscopy, or in layman’s terms, understanding how the HIV genome is regulated to potentially inhibit it. This is a continuation of the work I started as a senior at UWF when I interned at UMBC.

What are your future career plans?

When I first started my undergraduate studies, I was planning to become a surgeon, but one of my professors, Dr. Karen Molek, believed I could do more. She helped steer me toward Dr. Michael Summers, also a UWF alumnus, and the MD/Ph.D program, where I’m now pursuing a career as a physician-scientist. I’m excited to be able to conduct the research and then carry it over to care for the patients affected by this disease.

How did UWF prepare you for success in your career?

I scored in the 96 percentile on the MCAT, and it was all from what I learned at UWF. The University provided me with an invaluable experience through a top-notch education, opportunities to conduct research as an undergraduate under the mentorship of dedicated faculty members, and ultimately, the connection to UMBC that has brought me where I am today. If I could go back and pick any school, I’d choose UWF again.