He completed a BSc (Hons) in Experimental Biology at The UWI, Mona, in 2015, before pursuing doctoral research in parasitology. His academic and research experience has centred on a One Health approach, examining the interconnections among human health, animal health, and the environment.

His doctoral research, “Molecular Epidemiological Study of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Jamaica: Infection Levels, Intermediate and Paratenic Host Ranges, and Environmental and Biological Influences in a High-Zoonotic Transmission Area,” examined the transmission of Angiostrongylus cantonensis, commonly known as the rat lungworm. This parasite can infect humans and cause eosinophilic meningitis, a serious neurological disease that occurs when the body mounts an inflammatory response to the parasite in the brain and surrounding tissues.  Dr  Brown supervisors were Prof. Ralph Robinson and Prof. John Lindo.

The research was conducted against the backdrop of the largest outbreak of A. cantonensis-induced eosinophilic meningitis in the Western Hemisphere linked to Jamaica in 2000, which was associated with the consumption of a contaminated salad. The parasite normally develops in rats and can be picked up by snails and slugs as they ingest rat faeces. Humans can become infected when they accidentally or intentionally ingest raw or poorly cooked infected snails, or by consuming raw fruits and vegetables contaminated with slime from infected snails or slugs. Infection may also occur through eating other animals known as transport hosts, including some species of terrestrial flatworms that may acquire the parasite by feeding on infected snails or slugs. Understanding these potential routes of human exposure was particularly important in Jamaica, given the island’s unique and diverse fauna. Identifying the local species that can harbour or transport the parasite helps to clarify how it moves through the Jamaican environment and, ultimately, the pathways through which humans may become exposed.

Dr. Brown’s research provides a comprehensive assessment of Jamaica’s A. cantonensis transmission landscape. It uncovered 13 previously unrecognised species capable of carrying the parasite, including seven snail species and one invasive flatworm species. Eight of these findings represented global first records of the parasite being found in these species. The research also demonstrated the influence of climatic and biological factors on parasite transmission, providing new insights into how environmental conditions and the animals that carry the parasite can shape the risk of human exposure. These findings can inform more targeted surveillance and risk-reduction strategies for this emerging zoonotic parasite.

Beyond his doctoral research, Dr. Brown has contributed to research and initiatives spanning parasitology, invasive species, biodiversity, and environmental health. His work reflects a broader interest in understanding how biological and environmental processes interact to influence risks to ecosystems, animals, and human populations.

Dr. Brown is also committed to advancing science and research capacity in Jamaica and the wider Caribbean. He is passionate about translating scientific research into practical solutions, strengthening evidence-based decision-making, and supporting the development of the next generation of Caribbean scientist.