Brian holds a Ph.D. in Cell and Developmental Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he focused on elucidating the role of genetics using multiple animal models and embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells to study congenital heart defects. As a postdoctoral fellow at Johns Hopkins Heart and Vascular Institute, Brian studied the role of Hedgehog signaling in regulating cardiac progenitor cells during heart development using novel in vivo mouse models and in vitro embryonic stem cell systems. 

Prior to joining as a Blavatnik Fellow, Brian was a life sciences venture analyst with experiences in venture capital, technology commercialization, and patent law. His background covers supporting startup development from academia to evaluating early to mid-stage biotech companies for investment opportunities.