Dr. Robert S. Brown

Dr. Robert S. Brown Jr. leads the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Weill Cornell Medicine with a steady commitment to comprehensive, patient-centered liver care. He convenes hepatologists, transplant surgeons, interventional radiologists, dietitians, social workers, and palliative-care specialists before crafting any treatment plan, ensuring that detailed imaging, laboratory results, and lifestyle considerations are translated into clear, individualized options. Whether discussing locoregional therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma, balancing antiviral regimens for viral hepatitis, or planning early referral for liver transplantation evaluation, he explains the rationale for each approach in straightforward terms so that families can weigh medical benefits alongside work, family, and quality-of-life goals. A dedicated nurse navigator arranges prehabilitation sessions that focus on building muscle strength and nutritional reserve before any procedure, smoothing the path to surgery or ablative therapy. Weekly multidisciplinary tumor boards track changes in tumor markers, viral loads, and performance status, allowing his team to adjust antiviral prophylaxis, modify immunosuppression, or pivot toward systemic therapy at the earliest sign of progression. This collaborative method reduces time to first intervention, lowers emergency-room visits for decompensated cirrhosis, and reassures patients that a unified team is coordinating every step from diagnosis to long-term wellness.

 

In his research laboratory, Dr. Brown investigates the molecular pathways that underlie liver fibrosis, viral hepatitis, and hepatic carcinogenesis, translating discoveries directly into clinical trials that address real-world needs. His team analyzes patient-derived liver organoids to test novel antifibrotic agents targeting hepatic stellate cell activation, correlating changes in collagen deposition with noninvasive elastography measurements. Parallel studies dissect HBV and HCV replication dynamics, using single-cell RNA sequencing to reveal how viral quasispecies emerge under antiviral pressure. Those insights inform a flagship trial evaluating combination direct-acting antivirals with immune-modulating therapy in patients with advanced fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis, embedding serial plasma-DNA assays and patient-reported outcome surveys to detect subclinical response and side effects in near real time. Adaptive trial designs allow ineffective arms to close early, redirecting resources toward promising regimens that can be rapidly scaled across multiple centers. These rigorous correlative-science efforts ensure that therapies offered to participants carry both strong mechanistic rationale and a commitment to safety, giving patients access to advances refined through the same laboratory that studies their disease.

 

Dr. Brown’s passion for education and outreach unites communities with high-quality liver care, even when distance or resource constraints might otherwise impose barriers. He mentors medical students, residents, and hepatology fellows through simulation workshops that practice ultrasound-guided paracentesis, communication of cirrhosis prognoses, and liver-biopsy techniques under ultrasound guidance. Monthly webinar series, co-hosted with the American Liver Foundation, translate complex topics—such as managing decompensated cirrhosis, navigating transplant listing, and understanding tumor-marker trends—into plain language for patients and caregivers. Bilingual video modules on alcohol-related liver disease prevention, hepatitis-C screening, and post-transplant medication adherence are freely available on social platforms, ensuring that underserved populations gain reliable guidance without additional cost. In collaboration with local health departments, he helps coordinate community screening events that pair point-of-care fibroscan assessments with tele-consultation slots, inviting participants to receive immediate feedback and next-step recommendations. By combining rigorous science with accessible communication, Dr. Brown empowers individuals to engage actively in their liver health and bolsters trust in hepatology care across diverse communities.