Amanda M. Brown, PhD
Associate Professor of Neurology
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Q. Please tell me about your career path, and research.
A. I'm a PhD scientist currently at the Associate Professor Level here at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Department of Neurology. My pathway is somewhat distinct because I’m actually a PhD scientist in a clinical department. HIV, infects microglia and macrophages in the brain and this can lead to neurological dysfunction. And so it's been a journey for me, actually having a background in microbiology and immunology, then working at this intersection of the brain and the immune system. And so it's something that I didn't foresee when I began my training that I could end up doing research in neuroscience and neurology. But it's really a delight, because we know the brain is the frontier and it just in terms of our greater understanding that inflammation in the periphery can negatively impact neuronal function. We are really interested in inflammatory signals, because virus infection just like any other pathogen, can cause a robust, inflammatory response. I’m able to do this work, while at the same time helping other folks from backgrounds like mine and others who are currently underrepresented in STEM fields really understand what a career in science looks like. I’m really passionate about the research and mentoring I do and really enjoy both.
Q. What elements of diversity, equity, and inclusion are most important to you and your career?
A. Well, I guess you just heard a little bit about it. I mean it's so intermingled, as a woman, as a person of color, it's so intimately intertwined. But you know mentoring and sponsorship is so important to a success career. At the time, in my undergraduate years, I really didn't know the depth with which my mentors cared. So much so that they used their own professional networks to help me. Looking back over 30 years ago, they were tapping into their professional network to say, “hey, there's someone that I want you to mentor.” And so there was an actually hand-off-- I did research during the summers when I was an undergraduate student and it was through building those relationships that the opportunities came. I received guidance to apply to a program at Carnegie Mellon, then apply to graduate school at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine - those kind of insights came from these mentoring sponsorship/ relationships. And so, understanding that those who are first generation, people coming from underrepresented backgrounds may not have, and often do not have access to that type of social capital. This is a critical piece that everyone who desires to enter the field of neurology/ neuroscience has access to such social capital. What I've been learning more recently and something that I probably always have felt and practiced, but it just didn't seem like it had to have a title to be specifically delineated/articulated - is something called belonging. And so, as I reflect on my journey, in the places I've been it was those mentors and sponsors who said you belong and did the things to make me feel like I belonged. This is part of what has enabled me to be successful. I think that it is extremely critical within our organizations, within our own workgroups, in whatever we are doing, to focus on that sense of belonging and making that real for everyone.
Q. What does Black History Month mean to you?
A. It's really an opportunity to reflect on all the phenomenal people who came before me. It's taken on, even more importance this year, and in the backdrop of these last few years. My ancestors both, familial and tangential, because it's very profound when you reflect on all of the accomplishments and think about our ancestors, those who came across or forcibly removed from their homes and made that long passage across the sea. Some didn't make it. Some did make it. And just all that they went through. When there were times when I was feeling down our feeling like, okay maybe I can't go forward, and I would reflect on what they experienced. They had faith that things would improve that one day, despite they weren't free themselves, but that their descendants would be free. It's a powerful story of survival, resilience and creativity. It is just not America without Black America and it's for everyone to celebrate. So much, whether it's the contributions to architecture to medicine, to science, art, literature, sports, we have contributed to so many domains. It is a chance to reflect on that, to celebrate, and be grateful.
Q. Who is an inspirational Black historical figure that inspires you, and why?
A. Yes, so I picked two. I picked one from our past generations and then one currently living. First, it's just got to be Martin Luther King Jr. for me because he had a vision. He could see and feel something that he didn't see around him at the time, and it was really, really difficult. His ideals and accomplishments are recognized around the world, and the things that he taught are utilized in so many movements, not just the United States. A month ago I attended, virtually, a Martin Luther King celebration at Merck Labs and the speaker was Carmelle Norice-Tra. She's an African American scientist, and Clinical Director of Infectious Diseases at Merck Labs. She talked about her personal story and scientific journey. It was just such a phenomenal story and to witness her tenacity, her resilience and faith in herself. She had the support of her family, but it was a time when her father was in prison for 20 years during the “war on drugs” period. The story ends well and he is released and able to celebrate the accomplishments of his daughter. And so it just spoke again these powerful stories of resilience and accomplishment, despite you know so many odds. We have these real life, real day pioneers and success stories. I’m very inspired by the next generation coming up because they're going to be the leaders and many of them have already stepped forward, and so I’m, very, very hopeful.
Q. What can professional organizations like the ANA do to support the advancement of Black physician-researchers and scientists?
A. Well, I think the ANA and other organizations are already leading the way. For example, the ANA is bringing awareness around equity in speaker list for presenters at scientific conferences. Programs that facilitate the development of professional networks and mentoring relationships, whether that is peer-to-peer, near-peer, and of varied structures are very important. Again, sponsorship is critical and includes providing travel awards to help mitigate barriers to attendance at meetings. Through the ANA IDEAS committee members with expertise and accomplishments in this space are leading the way to help ANA members more broadly take best-practices back to their departments and institutions.