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Jennifer Brown

Ph.D. in Neuroscience & J.D., University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Chapter Member: Minneapolis-St. Paul SSN
Areas of Expertise:

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About Jennifer

Brown is dedicated to service leadership and advocacy, with research topics ranging from the function of alpha synuclein proteins to the ethics of human-animal hybrids and to tear gas. Brown's commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration is evident from leadership roles with organizations like the Society for Neuroscience and the National Science Policy Network. With a rich academic background and a passion for informed science policy dialogues, Brown bridges the gap between researchers and policymakers.

Contributions | No Jargon Podcast | In the News | Publications

Contributions

Recommendations for Improving NRSA Fellowship Review

Public Comment,

In the News

"Event Recap: Addressing the Role of Digital Technologies As Determinants of Health," Jennifer Brown, Journal of Science Policy & Governance Blog, July 6, 2022.
Jennifer Brown's research on the long-term health impacts of tear gas discussed by Arman Rahman, "UMN Medical Student Researchers Find Long Term Effects Of Tear Gas," FOX21, April 26, 2021.
Jennifer Brown's research on the lack of regulation and unknown long-term health effects of tear gas discussed by "Research Suggests Protocol Change for Tear Gas Deployment," University of Minnesota Medical School, April 26, 2021.
Jennifer Brown's research on the long-term health impacts of tear gas discussed by Jennifer Austin, "What Do We Know About the Long-Term Effects of Tear Gas?," KARE11, April 21, 2021.

Publications

"Temporary Induction of Hypoxic Adaptations by Preconditioning Fails To Enhance Schwann Cell Transplant Survival After Spinal Cord Injury" (with Brian T David, Jessica J Curtin, Kerri Scorpio, Veena Kandaswamy, David J C Coutts, Ana Vivinetto, Paola Bianchimano, Saravanan S Karuppagounder, Mariajose Metcalfe, John W Cave, and Caitlin E Hill). Glia 71, no. 3 (2023): 648-666.

Explored the potential benefits of hypoxic preconditioning of cells transplanted into sites of spinal cord injury.

"A Technological and Regulatory Review on Human-Animal Chimera Research: The Current Landscape of Biology, Law, and Public Opinion" (with Joseph P Voth, Kennedy Person, and Walter C Low). Cell Transplant 32 (2023).

Discusses both the current scientific and legal landscape of human-animal chimera (HAC) research. 

"Piles of Plastic: Strategies To Reduce Waste in University Laboratories" (with Marianne S. Meyersohn, Jessica Froula, and Stephanie Mitchell). SciTech Forefront (2022).

Discusses the use of single-use plastics in laboratory settings and their negative effects on the environment.

"Bridging Divides Through Science Diplomacy" (with Shubham Tripathi, Linxin Gu, Ankita Arora, and Adria Schwarber). Issues in Science and Technology (2021).

Discusses the role that early-career researchers can play in advancing international relations if they are given adequate training and opportunities. 

"Reevaluating Tear Gas Toxicity and Safety" (with Carey E. Lyons, Carlee Toddes, Timothy Monko, and Roman Tyshynsky). Inhalation Toxicology (2021).

Reviews the available scientific literature on tear gas, summarizing findings from animal and environmental studies as well describing data from new human studies. Finds a lack of scientific evidence supporting the safety of tear gas, especially regarding its long-term impacts on human health and the environment.

"A Burning Need for Change: Assessment of Safety and Usage Practices of Tear Gas and Recommendations for Policy" (with Carey E. Lyons, Carlee Toddes, Timothy Monko, and Roman Tyshynsky). Journal of Science Policy & Governance 18, no. 1 (2021).

Concludes that the current utilization of tear gas is a threat to public health, free speech, and possibly falls outside of the exception for domestic use. Discusses policy alternatives that include alternative crowd control methods, changes to protocols for tear gas deployment and post-use review, increased regulatory oversight, and the possibility of a complete tear gas ban.