Joshua I. Brown, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Office: NSB 328
Email: jbrown@wtamu.edu
Phone: 806-651-5271
Professional Profile
Dr. Joshua Brown joined the Department of Life, Earth, and Environmental Sciences in Fall 2023 as an Assistant Professor and Curator of Birds. He earned his B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences from Texas A&M University in 2016 and completed his Ph.D. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Texas at El Paso in 2021. His doctoral research focused on landscape population and evolutionary genomics in mallard-like ducks. Prior to joining WTAMU, Dr. Brown held postdoctoral positions at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Center for Conservation Genomics, and the University of Texas at El Paso, where he collaborated with experts in conservation genomics and evolutionary biology.
Teaching and Related Service
Dr. Brown serves as the instructor of record for Contemporary Biology II, Gamebird Ecology and Management, Wildlife Management Techniques, Conservation Biology, and Conservation Genetics, among others. Dr. Brown has also guest lectured and served as a teaching assistant for courses in Population Genetics, Molecular Biochemistry, and Evolution. Dr. Brown has also provided mentorship through research programs like STEMgrow, helping students design and present research. He currently serves on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee and is involved in various outreach
Research and Creative Activity
Dr. Brown’s research integrates landscape genomics, population genetics, and evolutionary ecology to explore the interactions between hybridization, gene flow, and adaptive processes in avian species, with a strong focus on management implications. His work investigates the conservation and evolutionary consequences of human-mediated genetic introgression, particularly in waterfowl species such as mallards and Mexican ducks. Dr. Brown’s recent studies on hybridization dynamics have highlighted the impacts of domesticated mallard introgression on wild populations, shedding light on potential threats to native species. This research provides critical insights into how such genetic exchanges can influence species evolution, with important implications for managing waterfowl populations and ensuring the preservation of local biodiversity.