David Brown 1952-2024

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Professor David W G Brown, MBBS MSc FRCPath FFPH.

An internationally renowned public health virologist, David served with distinction as director of the Health Protection Agency’s Virus Reference Department from 2004 until his retirement in 2012, and a visiting professor at LSHTM. After training in medicine at Middlesex Hospital and in clinical virology in Birmingham and London, he worked on a Wellcome Trust project in south India. His distinguished career included heading the WHO Global Specialised Laboratory for Measles/Rubella, authoring over 300 publications, and making invaluable contributions to global public health through his groundbreaking research in viral infections and epidemiology. More recently, Prof Brown dedicated years of partnership with the Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Brazil as a visiting researcher where he contributed to the diagnosis and research of diseases such as Ebola, Zika, measles, Covid-19 and others.

During his time at HPA/PHE (now UKHSA), David was instrumental to the success of a UK multi-centre study to investigate the causes of encephalitis through acquisition of funding and leading the laboratory aspects of the study. Given the importance of the study findings, further funding was granted to carry out additional studies (including neuroimaging and assessing the incidence of certain conditions after encephalitis). David headed the biobanking of samples from this unique cohort of UK encephalitis patients to facilitate further study and effective use of these precious patient samples.

Beyond his remarkable professional achievements, David was a cherished friend and colleague whose wit, wisdom, and kindness inspired all who knew him.

Our thoughts are with David’s family during this difficult time.