About Joshua W. Brown
Academic Career
Dr. Joshua W. Brown, PhD, is Professor of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University, Bloomington, where he has been a faculty member since 2006. He directs the Cognitive Control Lab, which investigates how the brain learns, plans, predicts, and controls goal-directed behavior in complex and changing environments.
His laboratory employs a unique combination of computational neural modeling, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and behavioral experiments to understand the brain circuits underlying cognitive control—particularly the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and medial prefrontal cortex in error monitoring, risk assessment, and adaptive behavior.
Education & Training
- B.S. in Mechanical Engineering, summa cum laude — University of California, San Diego (Revelle College, 1996)
- Ph.D. in Cognitive & Neural Systems — Boston University (2000)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Systems Neurophysiology — Vanderbilt University (2001)
- Postdoctoral Fellow, fMRI & Computational Neural Modeling — Washington University in St. Louis (2005)
Research Interests
Dr. Brown’s research spans multiple domains at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience, computational modeling, and clinical applications:
- Computational models of brain circuits involved in cognitive control
- Reinforcement learning, planning, prediction, and sequential behavior control
- Frontal lobe function in learning, decision-making, and error monitoring
- fMRI studies of behavioral risk and cognitive control
- Neural bases of cognitive impairment in clinical populations
- Transcranial electrical neurostimulation
- Artificial intelligence and neural network modeling
Selected Accomplishments
- Over 79 peer-reviewed publications in leading scientific journals
- Former Director, Program in Neuroscience, Indiana University (2020–2023)
- Co-founder and Director, Global Medical Research Institute (GMRI)
- Research featured on the Discovery Channel, NPR, the New York Times, Fox News, and in the docuseries Miracle
- Fellow of the Association for Psychological Science
- Member: Society for Neuroscience, Cognitive Neuroscience Society
The GMRI Story
In 2011, Dr. Brown co-founded the Global Medical Research Institute with a group of scientists and physicians committed to applying rigorous scientific methodology to investigate reported cases of miraculous healing through prayer. GMRI reviews claims of individual healing, applying careful research methods to document and evaluate extraordinary recoveries, and conducts randomized, controlled clinical trials of Christian spiritual practices on health outcomes.
This work, which bridges the traditionally contentious relationship between scientific and faith communities, represents Dr. Brown’s conviction that intellectual honesty demands following evidence wherever it leads—even across disciplinary boundaries.
Follow Dr. Brown on Twitter/X: @JoshBrownNeuro