Sheena Brown

Sheena Brown serves as an Assistant Professor and Program Director for the Human Services and Family Studies & Human Development program at the University of Arizona South (UA South), with a joint appointment in the Health Promotion Sciences department of the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. Her career transitioned from bench neuroscience to community-centered public health research after 2013.

Dr. Brown earned her PhD in Zoology and Anatomy from the University of Otago, New Zealand, followed by a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the University of Arizona's Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health in 2014. Prior to this, she worked as a research scientist in the University of Arizona's Neuroscience Department from 2003 to 2013.

Her research focuses on the association between chronic stress and chronic disease, developing contemplative-based programs to alleviate stress burdens in children and adults. This work spans community health interventions, health promotion strategies, and neuroscience applications, driven by her neurobiology training and public health expertise. She actively advocates for diversity and inclusion in higher education contexts.

As Program Director, Dr. Brown empowers students through engagement in personal health, academic development, and community service. She founded Faculty Affiliates and emphasizes student-centered approaches to wellness and education within her program leadership.