Robert H. Brown

Robert H. Brown, MD, DPhil, is the Donna M. and Robert J. Manning Chair in Neurosciences and a Professor in the Department of Neurology at UMass Chan Medical School. He holds cross-appointments in Genetic and Cellular Medicine, NeuroNexus Institute, RNA Therapeutics Institute, and multiple graduate programs (Neuroscience, Translational Science).

Education:

• BA in Biophysics (Amherst College)
• MD (Harvard Medical School)
• DPhil in Neurophysiology (University of Oxford)

His research focuses on molecular pathogenesis of neuromuscular diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy, and hereditary neuropathies. He develops gene-targeted therapies using antisense oligonucleotides and RNAi to silence disease-causing mutations (e.g., SOD1, C9ORF72). His lab creates transgenic mouse models to validate therapeutic strategies and investigate neurodegeneration mechanisms.

Recent publications (2023–2025) emphasize RNAi therapeutics, antisense oligonucleotide optimization, and biomarker discovery for ALS. Key themes include SOD1/C9ORF72 silencing, neuroprotection pathways, and mitigating side effects of gene therapies. Over 70% of articles involve preclinical/clinical translational research.

He directs the Brown Lab, which collaborates globally on neurodegenerative disease projects. Current work prioritizes refining CNS-targeted delivery of gene therapies and elucidating trauma-induced neurodegeneration links.