Joseph K. Brown, PhD

I am a Visiting Assistant Professor of Biology at Lake Forest College. In my courses, I challenge students to practice scientific reasoning and quantitative, evidence-based thinking. I am particularly interested in expanding quantitative training in the biological sciences through project-based coursework in data science and biostatistics.

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My research examines how ecological systems reorganize under environmental change. I study how environmental stress and disturbance restructure trait-based communities, and how those shifts influence ecosystem processes in coastal landscapes. I also develop R-based tools for probabilistic climate modeling to explore how uncertainty shapes long-term projections.

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Outside of work, I am an avid road cyclist and coffee enthusiast. I enjoy exploring new coffee shops, cooking with my partner, collecting vinyl records, and reading.