Professor Paul Brown, a distinguished microbiologist and academic leader from Jamaica, has been recognised by the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) for his outstanding contributions to the field.

He was awarded the ASM Moselio Schaechter Award in Recognition of a Developing-Country Microbiologist. 

Brown has made significant contributions to the field through his research on leptospirosis and antimicrobial resistance. His dedication to mentorship and training future generations of microbiologists has also been instrumental in shaping the field.

He expressed his gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the importance of mentorship in fostering a strong identity among younger faculty members and students. Brown said the award will motivate him to continue his work and make a greater impact on the field. “I feel honoured that my 20 years of hard work has been recognized,” he said, “this will give me the extra push to do more.”

Brown has held a number of leadership positions in the scientific community, including serving as country ambassador to Jamaica for the American Society for Microbiology and vice-chair of the Council on Microbial Sciences. He has also been honoured for his outstanding efforts through numerous awards and appointments. In addition to his teaching interest, Brown is currently the tenured president of the University Trade Union for Teachers. This position demonstrates his commitment to advocating for the rights and interests of educators and contributing to the overall improvement of higher education.

The ASM Moselio Schaechter Award is a prestigious honour that recognises individuals worldwide, who have made exceptional contributions to microbiology in developing countries. One of the objectives of such award is to inspire future generations of microbiologists, demonstrating the importance of pursuing excellence in the field. This award can provide similar ‘think tankers’ with the visibility and opportunities for collaboration and by extension the University of the West Indies, enabling further advancement and partnership with relevant stakeholder.

His family ties have played a significant role in his life and career; he is happily married to his wife Audrey with three children.

His family’s support and encouragement have been instrumental in his success. He is jointly involved in the daily chores of the home and indicates that he ensures that everything in his kitchen is sanitary and free from food poison.  “My wife complains that I am making the kitchen into a lab,” jokingly he said.

Dr Donnovan Stanberry — The University Registrar of the Mona Campus — is extremely elated and proud of Brown being awarded the Moselio Schaechter Award as Developing Country Microbiologist by the ASM. “This prestigious award validates the yeoman work of Professor Brown and highlights the robustness and excellence of UWI scholarship and research,” he added.

He is among 19 other recipients who will be presented with their awards at the ASM Microbe Annual meeting in Los Angeles, California in June 2025. Recipients will also be awarded an honorarium and are invited to present and be recognised at the ASM Microbe meeting.

In 2017 Dr Stacy Stephenson-Clarke was selected as American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Young Ambassador of Science to Jamaica.