Skip to Main Content

Nancy J. Brown, MD

Jean and David W. Wallace Dean of the Yale School of Medicine and C.N.H. Long Professor of Internal Medicine

Contact Information

Nancy J. Brown, MD

Appointments

Biography

Nancy J. Brown, M.D. is the Jean and David W. Wallace Dean of Yale School of Medicine and the C.N.H. Long professor of Internal Medicine. Prior to coming to Yale, Dr. Brown served as chair of the Vanderbilt Department of Medicine and physician-in-chief of Vanderbilt University Medical Center from 2010 to 2020.

Dr. Brown's research has focused on the mechanisms through which the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone, kallikrein-kinin, and incretin systems affect inflammation, thrombosis, metabolism and cardiovascular risk. Her lab defined the contribution of endogenous bradykinin to fibrinolysis and the prothrombotic and fibrotic effects of aldosterone mediated by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1. Her research group identified African ancestry and specific genetic variants as risk factors for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-associated angioedema. Ongoing research in the laboratory focuses on the mechanism(s) of combined angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)/neprilysin inhibitors in heart failure as well as on the cardiovascular effects of incretin-based anti-diabetic therapies.

As a clinician, Dr. Brown's specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of resistant hypertension; since coming to Yale, she has volunteered in the HAVEN clinic. Throughout her career, Dr. Brown has worked to promote the development of physician-scientists. She established the Vanderbilt Master of Science in Clinical Investigation in 2000. From 2006-2010, she served as the Associate Dean for Clinical and Translational Scientist Development and established an institutional infrastructure to support physician-scientists in the transition to independence.

Dr. Brown served on the NIH National Advisory Research Resources Council and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council. Her research has been recognized by the Harriet Dustan Award from the American Heart Association, the E.K. Frey-E. Werle Foundation, the August M. Watanabe Prize in Translational Research, and others. In 2018, she was named the Robert H. Williams, MD, Distinguished Chair of Medicine by the Association of Professors of Medicine.

Dr. Brown is a fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the American Society for Clinical Investigation, the American Association of Physicians, the American Clinical and Climatological Association, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Education & Training

  • Fellow in Clinical Pharmacology
    Vanderbilt University (1991)
  • Medicine Intern and Resident
    Vanderbilt University (1989)
  • MD
    Harvard University (1986)
  • Development Scientist
    Energy Resources Company, Inc. (1982)
  • AB
    Yale College, Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry (1981)

Certifications

  • Board Certification
    AB of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (1989)

Honors & Recognition

AwardAwarding OrganizationDate
August M. Watanabe Prize in Translational ResearchIndiana University School of Medicine2021
Elected Member to the American Academy of Arts & SciencesAmerican Academy of Arts & Sciences2021
Elected MasterAmerican College of Physicians2019
A. Ross McIntyre Award for Achievement in Medical ScienceUniversity of Nebraska College of Medicine2018
Robert H. Williams, M.D. Distinguished Chair of Medicine AwardAssociation of Professors of Medicine2018
MemberNational Academy of Medicine (formerly Institute of Medicine)2014
FellowAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science2012
MemberAmerican Clinical and Climatological Association2010
E.K. Frey-E. Werle Foundation Promotion Prize2009
Harriet Dustan AwardAmerican Heart Association Council for High Blood Pressure Research2009
MemberAssociation of American Physicians2008
Hedwig van Ameringen Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM)Institute for Women’s Health and Leadership, Drexel University College of Medicine2005, 2006
MemberAmerican Society for Clinical Investigation2003
American Federation for Clinical Research Outstanding Investigator Award2002
American Society of Hypertension Young Scholar Award2001
Elected FellowCouncil for High Blood Pressure Research, American Heart Association1999
Merck Sharp and Dohme Fellowship Award for Excellence in High Blood Pressure ResearchCouncil for High Blood Pressure Research1991

Departments & Organizations