Joshua Brown

Joshua Brown is an Assistant Professor and Curator of Birds at the Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences, West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), joining in Fall 2023. His work bridges landscape genomics, population genetics, and evolutionary ecology, focusing on avian species and conservation implications.

• Education: B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences (Texas A&M University, 2016), Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (University of Texas at El Paso, 2021).
• Professional Roles: Instructor for courses like Contemporary Biology II, Conservation Genetics, and Gamebird Ecology; active in STEMgrow mentorship.

Research Interests center on hybridization, gene flow, and adaptive processes in birds, particularly waterfowl. His studies address human-mediated genetic introgression (e.g., domesticated mallards) and its threats to native species like Mexican ducks. This work informs conservation strategies for biodiversity preservation.

Previous Positions include postdoctoral roles at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, National Zoo, and Center for Conservation Genomics, collaborating on conservation genomics projects.

Committees: Member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and involved in outreach initiatives.