Team
Principle Investigator
DR. ANNE M. BROWN | ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR | VIRGINIA TECH
I am a computational biochemist and educator whose interdisciplinary research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms governing protein aggregation, conformational dynamics, and protein–membrane interactions. Her laboratory develops and applies computational methods spanning molecular dynamics simulations, machine learning, and AI-enabled computer-aided drug design to investigate how protein sequence and biological environments influence amyloid assembly, challenging traditional views of amyloid aggregation as uniformly pathological and identifying molecular features relevant to therapeutic intervention. Her research spans neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, including studies of amyloid-β, α-synuclein, amylin, and GLP-1, and explores how complex biological membranes and environmental factors, including micro- and nanoplastics, influence protein behavior. Her laboratory also advances computer-aided drug discovery (CADD) through the development of AL-enhanced predictive approaches for identifying and optimizing small-molecule therapeutics, with applications in antiviral drug discovery, antimicrobial resistance, and the targeting of challenging protein–protein interactions. Dr. Brown is committed to advancing open and reproducible science, interdisciplinary collaboration, undergraduate research, and scientific workforce development.
2026 - present - National Academies New Voices Member (2026 Cohort)
2026 - present - Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech
2026 - present - Undergraduate Program Director, Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech
2025 - present - Faculty Lead, Discovery Lab, Virginia Tech
2023 - present - Cathie and Tom Woteki Data Science Faculty Fellow, Virginia Tech
2023 - 2026 - Associate Professor, Health Analytics Coordinator, Research and Informatics - University Libraries, Virginia Tech
2020 - present - Affiliate Faculty, Academy of Integrated Science
2017 - 2023 - Assistant Professor, Health Analytics Coordinator, Research and Informatics - University Libraries, Virginia Tech
2016 - 2026 - Adjunct Faculty, Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech
2016 - 2017 - Data and Informatics Consultant for the Sciences, Virginia Tech
2016 - Ph.D., Biochemistry, Virginia Tech
2010 - B.S. Biochemistry and Physics, Roanoke College
Current Undergraduate Students: Bhavana Bharath, Alexandra Caraus, Emily Crabtree, Kathryn Curran, Sarah Fuccello, Evelyn Kim, Stephanie Levy, Sibi Mallesan, Nathaniel Mertz, George Phung, Antara Rajgopal, Cid Wyer
Brown Lab has had over 170 undergraduate students work in our lab since its inception!
Wonder why the lab name has changed? Dave Bevan retired in 2018 and given the momentum the research lab had. Anne Brown’s new appointment as an Assistant Professor at Virginia Tech made sense to keep building and growing to do the best science and enrich the education of undergraduate students through experiential learning. In 2021 Bevan’s name was retired from the lab, resulting in the Brown Lab.
Previous Principle Investigator
Dr. David Bevan | Professor of Biochemistry
Research interests focus on the application of computational molecular modeling to elucidate the relationship between structure, function, and dynamics of biomolecules. Techniques routinely applied include homology modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. Several biomolecular systems under investigation include the amyloid beta-peptide, G-protein coupled receptors, HIV envelope glycoprotein, and sphingosine kinases. Specific research interests involve enzyme design, protein-ligand binding affinities, and the relationship between structural dynamics and function.
2017 - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Outstanding Faculty Mentor
2017 - Virginia Tech Academy of Faculty Leadership
2016 - College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Diversity Enhancement Award Mentor
2013 - Outstanding Dissertation Advisor, STEM Area, Virginia Tech
2013 - 2018 - Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech
1986-2013 - Associate Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech
1980-1986 - Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Virginia Tech
1978-1980 - Postdoctoral, Gray Freshwater Biological Institute
1978 - Ph.D., Chemistry, Northwestern University
1975 - M.S., Chemistry, Northwestern University
1970 - B.S., Chemistry, Marietta College
Past Graduate Students
