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Michael Brown

Assistant Professor in Neurosurgery
Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology

Overview


Dr. Brown’s research focuses on leveraging intratumor innate immunity for cancer immunotherapy, particularly in the context of malignant brain tumors. Dr. Brown's lab uses mouse cancer models, ex vivo human tumor slice culture assays, and clinical trial associated specimens to decode mechanisms by which intratumor innate immune cells control cancer immune surveillance and develop novel in situ vaccine approaches that engage endogenous antitumor T cells. The Brown lab also collaborates with clinicians and other research groups to facilitate the translation of novel therapies, define determinants of successful immunotherapy, and elucidate mechanisms explaining immune dysfunction in patients with cancer.  

Current Appointments & Affiliations


Assistant Professor in Neurosurgery · 2022 - Present Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology, Neurosurgery
Member of the Duke Cancer Institute · 2023 - Present Duke Cancer Institute, Institutes and Centers

Recent Publications


The Key LARGO study: Building an international resource for glioblastoma epidemiology

Journal Article Neuro-Oncology Practice · May 28, 2026 AbstractBackgroundDespite decades of epidemiological research, no glioblastoma risk factors have been identified that explain s ... Full text Cite
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Recent Grants


Therapeutic targeting of SMARCAL1 in therapy-resistant gliomas

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Institutes of Health · 2026 - 2031

Epigenetic Programming of T Cells for Enhanced Cellular Immunotherapy

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by National Cancer Institute · 2024 - 2029

Role of ATRX deficiency as a determinant of topoisomerase 1 inhibitor sensitivity in high grade gliomas

ResearchCo Investigator · Awarded by American Cancer Society, Inc. · 2025 - 2028

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Education


Duke University · 2016 Ph.D.