Andrew Brown

Professor Andrew Brown is a distinguished academic at UNSW Sydney's School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, where he holds the rank of Professor of Biochemistry. His research focuses on cholesterol metabolism, lipid biochemistry, and cancer biology, with significant contributions to understanding cellular cholesterol regulation and its implications in diseases like prostate cancer.

Education includes a BSc Hons (1985) and PhD (1991) from the University of Sydney. Professional appointments span from Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Edinburgh to Head of School at UNSW (2013-2018).

Research explores cholesterol synthesis control points beyond HMG-CoA reductase, notably squalene monooxygenase (SQLE), and links between cholesterol dysregulation and cancer. Key discoveries include identifying SQLE as a regulatory node and uncovering MARCH6 ubiquitin ligase's role in cholesterol homeostasis. Projects investigate cholesterol's role in prostate cancer and novel metabolic checkpoints.

Publications emphasize cholesterol synthesis regulation, ubiquitin-mediated protein degradation, and cancer metabolism, with recurring themes in enzyme kinetics, sterol sensing, and therapeutic targeting.

Awards:

• Vice-Chancellor's Teaching Excellence Award (2012)
• ASBMB Poetry in Science Prize (2012)
• International Agricultural Centre Fellowship (1987)
• British Nutrition Foundation Young Scientist (1992)
• Oxygen Society Young Investigator (1995)

Advising & Grants: Supervised 26 Honours students (all First Class) and 10 PhD graduates. Current PhD advisees include Jake Chua and Nicola Scott. Secured competitive grants:

• ARC Discovery Project DP170101178 (2017-2020, $394,500)
• NHMRC Project APP1141938 (2018-2021, $887,000)
• NHMRC Project APP1141939 (2018-2020, $467,000)

Leads a dynamic lab investigating cholesterol metabolism, collaborating internationally (e.g., Yale, Princeton). The team focuses on molecular mechanisms linking cholesterol to cancer and metabolic diseases.