Ph.D. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 2003
B.A. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 1993

My research group is using a systems biology approach to identify and characterize factors in Aspergillus that control the degradation of aflatoxin for improved food safety. We are investigating the volatiles of Mp708, a line of maize resistant to feeding by fall armyworm in order to better understand the method of resistance. We use an analytical approach to improve method development for regulatory testing. My laboratory also studies the microflora from the gastrointestinal tract of the giant panda to monitor health, and determine the role this bacterial population plays in the digestion of bamboo. We are also using analytical methods similar to the fall armyworm study to unlock the chemical communication code of these generally solitary animals. Additionally, my research is focused on the optimization of renewable alternatives such as green fuel, biodiesel, and bioethanol (including panda poop microflora to biofuels). Additionally, I am investigating how university teacher-researchers can pique interest and motivate students using a studio based learning pedagogy.

While at MSU, I have obtained over $6.4M of funding from federal, state, and industry sources to support and develop a research group as well as help fund the mission of MSCL. I have 22 peer reviewed publications, two proceedings highlighting this work, and currently have one article under review.

Selected Journal Publications

1. Williams, C.L.; Dill-McFarland, K.A.; Sparks, D.L.; Kouba, A.J.; Willard, S.T.; Suen, G.; *Brown, A.E. (2017) Dietary Changes During Weaning Shape the Gut Microbiota of Red Pandas (Ailurus Fulgens), Conservation Physiology, Accepted.

2. Williams, C.L.; Dill-McFarland, K.A.; Vandewege, M.W.; Sparks, D.L.; Willard, S.T.; Kouba, A.J.; Suen, G.; *Brown, A.E. (2016) Dietary shift and dysbiosis may trigger mucous stools in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) Frontiers in Microbiology. DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2016.00661..

3. Reid, C.X.; Sparks, D.L.; Williams, W.P.; *Brown, A.E. (2016) Single Corn Kernel Aflatoxin B1 Extraction and Analysis Method, Natural Resources 7(7): 405-410.

4. Womack, E.; *Sparks, D.L.; Brown, A.E. (2016) “Aflatoxin M1 in Milk and Milk Products: A Short Review,” World Mycotoxin Journal, DOI 10.3920/WMJ2014.1867.

5. *Tabler, T.; Brown, A.; Hagood, G.; Farnell, M.; McDaniel, C.; Kilgore, J. (2015) Nutrient Content in Mississippi Broiler Litter. MSUcares. Publication 2878 POD-02-15.

6. *Tabler, G. T., Brown Johnson, A. E., Hagood, G., Farnell, M. B., McDaniel, C. D., Kilgore, J. (2015). Nutrient analysis of Mississippi broiler litter. no. International Poultry Scientific Forum.

7. Atkinson, C.; Pechanova, O.; Sparks, D.L.; *Brown, A.; *Rodriquez, J.M. (2014) Differentiation of Aflatoxigenic and Non-Aflatoxigenic Strains of Aspergilli by FT-IR Spectroscopy. Applied Spectroscopy. 68(8) DOI:10.1002/PMIC.201100659.

8. Womack, E.D.; *Brown, A.E.; Sparks, D.L. (2014) A Recent Review of Non-biological Remediation of Aflatoxin-Contaminated Crops. Journal of Science, Food and Agriculture. 94:1706-1714.

9. Williams, C.L.; Sparks, D.L.; *Brown, A. E. (2013) Could Panda Gut Microbes Power the Next-Generation Biorefinery. INFORM 24 (10). 630-632.

10. Pechanova, O.; *Pechan, T.; Rodriguez, J.M; Williams, W.P.; *Brown, A.E. (2013) A Two-Dimensional Proteome Map of the Aflatoxigenic Fungus Aspergillus flavus. Proteomics. 13(9):1513-1518.

11. Brown, A.E.; Sparks, D.L.; *Brocato, D.K. (2012) Studio Bio-Analytical Studio Bio-analytical: Using a Unique Interdisciplinary Combination of Topic Choice, Lecturing, Field Experience, and Laboratory Skills Preparation. American Educational Research Association Online Paper Repository. 4:1-21.

12. Williams, C.L.; Willard, S.T.; Kouba, A.; Sparks, D.L.; Holmes, W.E.; Falcone, J.; Williams, C.H.;

13. *Brown, A.E. (2012) Dietary Shifts Affect the Gastronintestinal Microflora of the Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition. DOI10.1111/j.1439-0396.2012.01299.

14. Smith, W.E.; Shivaji, R.; Williams, W.P.; Luthe, D.S.; Sandoya, G.V.; Smith, C.L.; Sparks, D.L.;*Brown, A.E. (2012) A Maize Line Resistant to Herbivory Constitutively Releases (E)-beta-Caryophyllene. Journal of Economic Entomology. 105(1):120-128.

15. Frahm, A.J.; *Ward, S.H.; Brown Johnson, A.; Sparks, D.L.; Martin, J.M.; Rude, B.J.; Meiring, R. (2012) Case Study: Comparison of Fatty Acid Content in Homogenized and Non-homogenized Milk form Holstein and Jersey Cows. The Professional Animal Scientist. 26:689-693.

16. Johnston, C.I.; Singleterry, R.; Reid, C.X.; Sparks, D.L; Baldwin, B.; Hill-Ward, S.; Williams, W.P.;

17. *Brown, A. (2012) The Fate of Alfatoxin in Corn Fermentation. Natural Resources. 3(3):126-136.