Nancy J. Brown

Nancy J. Brown, M.D., is the Jean and David W. Wallace Dean of the Yale School of Medicine and holds the C.N.H. Long Professorship in Internal Medicine. Previously, she served as Chair of Vanderbilt Department of Medicine and Physician-in-Chief of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (2010–2020). Her academic career spans over three decades, with leadership roles in clinical care, research, and medical education.

Education:

• MD, Harvard University (1986)
• AB in Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale College (1981)
• Internship and Residency in Medicine, Vanderbilt University (1989)
• Fellowship in Clinical Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University (1991)
• Chief Resident, Vanderbilt University (1992)

Research Interests:

Dr. Brown’s work focuses on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system’s role in cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and thrombosis. Her lab has elucidated mechanisms linking aldosterone, bradykinin, and ACE inhibitors to inflammation, fibrosis, and cardiovascular risk. Current studies explore neprilysin inhibitors in heart failure and incretin-based therapies’ cardiovascular effects.

Key Contributions:

• Identified genetic variants and African ancestry as risk factors for ACE inhibitor-associated angioedema
• Developed Vanderbilt’s Master of Science in Clinical Investigation program (2000)
• Advocated for physician-scientist development through leadership roles in NIH councils and professional organizations

Recognition:

Recipient of the Harriet Dustan Award, August M. Watanabe Prize, and Robert H. Williams Distinguished Chair of Medicine. Elected to the National Academy of Medicine and American Academy of Arts & Sciences.

Labs/Teams: Leads the Yale School of Medicine’s cardiovascular research initiatives, focusing on translational studies of RAAS pathways and drug mechanisms.